Who doesn’t love an underdog story? That’s what the NBA G-League team pulled off during the first day of the NBA All-Star weekend. The protagonist of the win was Bryce McGowens, the Blazers’ G-League star. With the team behind by three, McGowens launched a tough three-pointer to reach the target score of 40. It helped Team G-League sink Team M in a nail-biting Rising Stars Semifinals contest.
McGowens is used to taking on the big role. As an elite high school prospect, he was among the top basketball players in the nation. But tonight his scoring a team-high 12 points has made many curious. Just how did Bryce McGowens land in the G-League and what is his ethnicity? Well, let’s find out.
What is Bryce McGowen’s ethnicity? Who are his parents?
McGowens was born to Bobby and Pam McGowens on November 8, 2022. He also has two siblings, an elder brother Trey, and a younger sister Raina. Hailing from Pendleton, South Carolina, the 22-year-old was born into a family rich in basketball heritage. His father Bobby McGowens starred at Clemson before transferring to South Carolina. He was a multi-sport athlete, playing both football and basketball. He finished his career as the all-time receiving leader for South Carolina.
On the other hand, his mother Pam McGowens was an all-state guard at Wern High School after which she played for Western Carolina. Now, she is a high school basketball coach. Both his parents are American and of African-American descent. It makes Bryce and his two siblings of African-American descent as well.
Jan 18, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Bryce McGowens (11) brings the ball forward during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Murphy-Imagn Images
The family has seen immense success with their children. Aside from the 22-year-old, his elder brother Troy was also part of the Clippers’ G-League roster after going undrafted. Bryce McGowens notably passed up on several college offers to join his brother in Nebraska to relive the joy of playing together.
How good was Bryce McGowens in college?
Being born to a basketball family, McGowens rose to stardom first through his high school exploits. Playing for Wren High School, the same as his mother, he averaged 18.4 points as a freshman. His standout performance came in his junior season where he would set the school record with a 67-point performance.
In all three years at Wren, the Blazers’ G-League star earned all-state honors. He spent his last season at Legacy Early College in South Carolina. It would be his best collegiate season as he averaged 21.6 points and won South Carolina Gatorade Player of The Year.
It attracted offers from a series of top colleges such as Georgia, Oregon, and Michigan. But Bryce McGowens chose Nebraska. He set the college’s record for the most points scored during in a debut going for 25 against Western Illinois. By the end of his one-and-done collegiate season, McGowens put up staggering numbers. Averaging 16.8 points and 5.1 rebounds, he led the conference in freshman scoring earning Third-Team All-Big Ten honors.
His impressive resume led to his drafting in the second round. The Minnesota Timberwolves picked him up with the 40th pick in 2022 before subsequently being traded to the Hornets. In 46 games in his rookie season, he averaged 5.3 points and 2 rebounds per game. In July 2024, he signed a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. He now features heavily for the Rip City Remix.
The post What Is Bryce McGowens’ Ethnicity? All About the Blazers G League Star Who Embarrassed 7 NBA Players in Rising Star Game appeared first on EssentiallySports.