KNOXVILLE — Every team needs a player who can go out and get things done, and for the Tennessee Volunteers men’s basketball team, Jordan Bowden is that person.
Bowden, a senior from Knoxville, Tenn., has had a significant role on every team he has played with on Rocky Top. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard has been one of the team’s best all-around players over the years, from placing among the top scorers to his ability to crash the boards and grab steals.
The Tennessee native graduated from Carter High School in Strawberry Plains, where he earned All-State and District 3-AA MVP recognition, and was also recognized as the Knoxville News Sentinel’s 2015 PrepXtra Boys Basketball Player of the Year for his senior year; he was the first player from Carter ever to receive the latter distinction. That same season, Bowden shot 55 percent from the field and averaged 26.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.
His next stop was 22 Feet Academy of Shannon Forest Christian School in Greenville, S.C., as a member of the prep school’s National Team. He averaged 17 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, and drew interest from several high major programs after a 30-point outburst at the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas in December of 2015.
Bowden began his Volunteers career in UT’s opener against the Chattanooga Mocs in 2016, notching just one rebound off the bench. The remainder of his freshman year was far more remarkable, averaging 7.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game, while also swiping a team-high 27 steals. Additionally, he was a significant contributor to a freshman class that was the highest-scoring in program history, while also ranking third on the team in minutes played, with a 22.8 per game average.
Things continued to progress for Bowden in his sophomore season, as he placed fourth on the team in points per game with 9.1, while also leading all Vols perimeter players in rebounds with 3.6 per game. He notched double figure points in 15 games and made multiple three-pointers in 14 contests, and Tennessee went 7-0 when he scored at least 15 points. He also led the team in steals with 39 and ranked second in 3-point shooting percentage with a .395 clip.
Bowden continued his upward trajectory into his junior season, when he was UT’s fifth-leading scorer with 10.6 points per game and ranked fourth on the team in minutes played — one of four Vols to log more than 1,000 minutes. Tennessee went 18-3 when he scored at least 10 points that year, and he committed only 35 turnovers in 1,002 total minutes played. Bowden also ranked second on the team in three-point shots made with 51, and knocked down at least three 3-pointers in seven games.
In his senior season so far, Bowden has taken things to the next level. He recorded his first career double-double against the Chattanooga Mocs and dropped a career-high 26 points on Murray State, earning SEC Player of the Week honors thanks in part to the latter performance. He also joined Tennessee’s 1,000-Point Club with a 16 point effort against Alabama State.
Bowden has been a cornerstone of the Volunteers’ surge from the start of the season, and figures to be a major contributor to the team’s success this year. While has has been a solid player in years past, it appears that he is elevating his game for his senior campaign and intends to leave Rocky Top on a high note. He is one of many talented players this Tennessee team has on its roster, and if he can continue contribute at a high level, this Vols team could very well be playing for the trophy come April 2020.
JORDAN BOWDEN ON A RACK ATTACK pic.twitter.com/TafqoFfm8m
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 2, 2019