Bryce McGowens

McGowens played basketball for Wren High School in Piedmont, South Carolina. As a sophomore, he averaged 26.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and three assists per game, and was named Region 1-4A Player of the Year. He led his team to a Class 4A Upper State runner-up finish.^[1] In his junior season, McGowens scored a school-record 65 points in a second-round win at the Class 4A playoffs.^[2] He averaged 25.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game as a junior, leading his team to the Class 4A Upper State championship game and repeating as Region 1-4A Player of the Year. For his senior season, McGowens moved to Legacy Early College in Greenville, South Carolina.^[3] As a senior, he averaged 21.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, earning South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year honors.^[4] He was selected to the Jordan Brand Classic roster.^[5]

McGowens was considered a five-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals, and a four-star recruit by ESPN. On February 10, 2020, he announced his commitment to play college basketball for Florida State.^[6] On October 8, 2020, McGowens decommitted from the program.^[7] On November 13, 2020, he committed to Nebraska, becoming the highest-ranked recruit in program history and its first five-star recruit.^[8][9]

College recruiting information

Name	Hometown	School	Height	Weight	Commit date
Bryce McGowens SG	Pendleton, SC	Legacy Early College (SC)	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	175 lb (79 kg)	Nov 13, 2020
	Recruit ratings: Rivals:    247Sports:    ESPN:    (89)
Overall recruit ranking:    Rivals: 29    247Sports: 27    ESPN: 26
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Nebraska 2021 Basketball Commits". Rivals. Retrieved August 20, 2021. "2021 Nebraska Cornhuskers Recruiting Class". ESPN. Retrieved August 20, 2021. "2021 Team Ranking". Rivals. Retrieved August 20, 2021.

In his college debut, McGowens scored 25 points in a 75–74 loss to Western Illinois on November 9, 2021.^[10] On March 1, 2022, he scored 26 points in a 78–70 win against Ohio State but suffered a hand injury that forced him to miss the following game against Wisconsin.^[11] McGowens was named to the Third Team All-Big Ten as well as the All-Freshman Team.^[12] He averaged 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. On March 21, 2022, McGowens declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.^[13]

McGowens was selected with the 40th overall pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2022 NBA draft before being traded to the Charlotte Hornets.^[14] On July 2, 2022, the Hornets announced that they had signed McGowens to a two-way contract.^[15] Under the terms of the deal, he split time between the Hornets and their NBA G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm. On February 26, 2023, McGowens' deal was converted to a multi-year contract by the Hornets.^[16] McGowens was waived by the Hornets on July 6, 2024.^[17]

On July 11, 2024, McGowens signed a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers.^[18] In 13 games for Portland during the 2024–25 NBA season, he averaged 1.0 point, 0.2 rebounds, and 0.2 assists in 2.5 minutes per game. On March 26, 2025, while playing for the Rip City Remix, McGowens suffered a season-ending right rib fracture.^[19]

On July 30, 2025, McGowens signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans.^[20] On February 20, 2026, the Pelicans signed McGowens to a three-year, standard NBA contract.^[21]