ALTHOUGH some of his contemporaries may gain more attention for their scoring performances, Aussie Kyle Bowen was still able to make an impact on his side’s performances in the NCAAM.

The 2022/23 campaign saw Bowen enter his senior season with the Saint Mary’s Gaels, having shown gradual progression during his first three years with the team. He does not put up the biggest numbers, but Bowen plays his role to perfection.

Bowen joined the team at the start of the 2019 season, and had to work his way into the rotation due to the Gaels having quite a talented roster.

However, his sophomore season saw his minutes jump up to 25 per game, and that number only increased over the campaigns that followed.

Despite not being the preferred option on the offensive end, Bowen can still hold his own when given the opportunity to score the rock. He averaged a solid 5.3 points per game, which was slightly down on his previous total. However, he had back to back games of double-digit points on multiple occasions, showing his potential if given the opportunity.

Bowen’s biggest strength comes with his rebounding, with which he played a big role for the Gaels on a nightly basis. Having secured a spot in the starting lineup, the big man works relentlessly on the boards to try and secure first possession for his side.

The Western Australia native averaged a career-high 7.1 rebounds in the 2022/23 season, significantly up on previous years, which suggests he put in some work over the offseason to excel in this area.

At six-foot-eight, Bowen has the size to get himself in a strong position, although he is rarely the tallest player on the court. However, his timing and reach play a big role in his success here, climbing above the pack to pull down plenty of rebounds each game.

A three-game stretch at the start of the year saw Bowen record rebounding totals of 13, 15 and 15 in consecutive games, going on a bit of a tear against some smaller lineups.

It was a cracking way for Bowen to finish his time with Saint Mary’s, having shown clear growth during his time with the team. The Perth Wildcats have been rumoured to be keen on his services, so he could be heading back to Australia in the near future.