Talented Ira Bowman waits for his opportunity

Last November, Penn men's basketball fans were treated to their first glimpses of this year's Quaker team at Midnight Madness and at the annual Red and Blue Game. The usual standouts were all on hand, and the freshmen got an opportunity to show off their skills. Perhaps the most impressive performer in those early showings, however, won't be donning a Penn uniform at all this season -- at least not in a game. For Providence transfer Ira Bowman, the Quakers' 1993-94 campaign is one of patient waiting. According to the NCAA rules regarding transfers, Bowman must sit out the current season. He may not travel with them to away games or even sit on the bench at home. But Bowman does practice with the rest of the team, and he tries to view his time in officially-imposed limbo as an opportunity rather than a burden. "Sitting out is hardest mentally," Bowman said. "This is my first year in eight or 10 years that I haven't played games. It's hard not having that competition, but I look at it as an opportunity to get better." Bowman's situation is markedly different than that of teammate Matt Maloney two years ago. At that time, after transferring from Vanderbilt, Maloney spent a year at Camden Community College. Maloney's year off made his transition more difficult than it might have been. Bowman, on the other hand, could make next year's adjustment easier. "Playing with [the team] every day is good for me," Bowman said. "The first couple of weeks next season I won't have to waste getting to know everybody." If there has been any wasted time in Bowman's basketball life, it may have been at Providence. His experience there was up and down at best. But in high school, everything had pointed to a successful collegiate career wherever Bowman went. After leading Seton Hall Prep to a 31-1 record and a spot in the New Jersey state finals during his senior year, and finishing as the school's second all-time leading scorer, Bowman considered a number of top-notch basketball schools. These included current national powers Massachusetts and Connecticut, as well as traditionally strong programs at Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Maryland, Virginia and Stanford. Bowman's decision was not made entirely without the input of influential figures in his life. One of those was Ed Sweeney, a fixture in the Newark basketball community. Sweeney made a habit out of helping to steer the city's young basketball talent out of the troubled public schools and into establishments like Bowman's own Seton Hall Prep. When Sweeney's son ended up at Seton Hall Prep, he was befriended by, among others, Walter Morton. Morton, in turn, was a friend of Bowman's, and it was through Morton that Sweeney and Bowman became acquainted. Sweeney was immediately impressed with Bowman's modest determination, and saw an opportunity to lend a steadying hand. "Ira's not a fighter, not an arguer," Sweeney said. "But he's a quiet kid and a brilliant kid.?I liked him and I tried to help him when it was necessary to have an adult male in his life or someone to talk to." Sweeney, for one, was less than thrilled when Bowman's interest turned northeast toward Rhode Island. "I didn't want Ira to go to Providence," Sweeney said. "I would have preferred to see him go to a better academic situation. But he still had that dream of playing in the pros and the Big East, and wasn't receptive to going to the Ivy League and being a star." Aside from the potential for recognition, Bowman was impressed with Providence's style of play and coaching staff, headed by Rick Barnes. Ironically enough, in his two years as a Friar, it was that same coaching staff Bowman had his problems with. Bowman's Providence career actually started off fairly well. He was an immediate starter during his freshman year, playing 30 minutes or more in many games. The seeds of later troubles, though, were already planted. Those early-season starts were at point guard, a position in which Bowman, a shooting guard and small forward, was unaccustomed. After voicing his concerns, Bowman saw decreased playing time. Despite his rocky freshman year, Bowman still looked forward to a successful sophomore campaign. "I came back with high expectations," Bowman said. "I started off pretty well, but after moving around from position to position I just kind of got lost in the shuffle." With an injury to his shoulder adding to the pressure of unfulfilled expectations, Bowman's sophomore season quickly became even rockier. He played in just 15 games last year, averaging 3.1 points in 9.1 minutes per contest. It was in the middle of that troubled season that Bowman began to seriously consider transferring. By the end of the year, the tense atmosphere surrounding the Friars had made up his mind. "There were a lot of things that weren't necessary going on as far as tension and built-up emotions on the team," Bowman said. "In a situation where you can start any five out of 12 players, and it's tooth and nail at practice, things are bound to heat up. It really works on your nerves and on your mental state." With Bowman's mind and heart set on transferring, Sweeney once again offered his guidance. This time around, Sweeney was able to convince Bowman of the benefits of an Ivy League education. Sweeney soon began calling Ivy League coaches to test their receptiveness to the prospect of coaching Bowman. Penn coach Fran Dunphy was the most interested of the lot, and Bowman was equally enthused. "I saw this was a program on the rise?and I felt like I could really fit in here," Bowman said. "I felt I could bring some things to the table that other players might not. I thought this was somewhere I could play without looking over my shoulder, and just play." Dunphy's interest, meanwhile, was solidified after Bowman paid a visit to West Philadelphia. "After meeting Ira and talking with people at Providence about the kind of person he was, I was excited about it," Dunphy said. "He's a terrific kid, aside from the fact that he's a very good athlete and looks like he's going to be a good player here." Accepted into Wharton, Bowman has found a different academic environment from Providence. So far, he remains undaunted. "The work isn't that much harder than at Providence, but the load is heavier," said Bowman, a strategic management major. "Here I really have to bear down on the books to keep up. But that's something I wanted. When I graduate, I want to be rewarded for the work I put in. I didn't want to go to a school where I could cakewalk and not get anything out of it." Only after this year of academic and basketball adjustment will Bowman be a full-fledged Quaker. When that time rolls around, Bowman may find himself picking up at least some of the slack for the departed Barry Pierce, Penn's current captain. With their 6-foot-4 frames and swingman abilities, Pierce and Bowman clearly come from similar molds. Although Bowman seems a natural for Pierce's small forward spot, he knows it will not simply fall into his lap. "I think I can step in there," the diplomatic Bowman said. "But in no way am I trying to cut out [junior guard] Scott Kegler. He's been here for three years. I'm not just going to step in. There's a spot open, but it's a spot that's going to have to be earned." After his troubles at Providence, it seems likely Bowman has had his share of trying to fit into preconceived roles. There, Bowman was hindered by the inconsistent thinking of his coaches as well as his own visions of success. Likewise, Dunphy is wary of the dangers of trying to live up to expectations. At the same time, his assessment of Bowman's prospects is positive. "I'm certainly not ready to anoint Ira at [the small forward] position," Dunphy said. "That's not what we're looking for. When next year comes, everybody will be battling for playing time again." "Any time somebody new comes in, you're trying to feel your way around and find where they're best suited," Dunphy continued. "It's not the easiest thing in the world to do, but Ira has done well with it." Unfortunately for Dunphy, Bowman and Quaker fans, to find out just how well Bowman has made that adjustment, everyone involved will have to wait until next year. But for Bowman himself, after a pair of disappointing seasons at Providence and a year away from the competitive side of the court, just playing at Penn may prove to be a step up.

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