CLICK HERE For All of Hoops HD’s Continued and Extensive Preseason Content
We are still about 3 weeks away from the tip-off of a new college basketball season, which means that we have plenty of time to start preparing for the action ahead. We will do so via a series of season previews featuring the best players/coaches in the country. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel continues our coverage with Florida State SO F Taylor Bol Bowen, who talked about his work in the classroom and his expectations for this season.
You played for the World Team at the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit in a 6-PT loss to Team USA: could you tell at the time that your teammate Zaccharie Risacher was good enough to be drafted 1st overall last spring? He is a great kid: we are still friends and text each other occasionally. He is super-talented and had a great year and did what he needed to do to become the #1 pick.
You received scholarship offers from several great schools including Duke/Kentucky/UConn: what made you choose Florida State? I wanted to go somewhere where I could make an impact. At those other schools I would have just been another guy, but the staff here is invested me as both a player/person.
You play for Coach Leonard Hamilton: what makes him such a great coach, and what is the most important thing that you have learned from him so far? He is the best coach in college because nobody else prepares you so well for life. He has trained my mind to become a professional in all aspects: I need to become more of a dog on the court and take care of my academics/sleep off the court. It is not lip service: he is 1 of the realest guys around and has helped me mature.
You are 6’10” and have a 7’2” wingspan: how much of an advantage is your length on the court? It is an extreme advantage and allows me to be versatile and make so many plays and play so many positions.
Last year you were named to the All-ACC Academic Team, and you are majoring in finance: how do you balance your work on the court with your work in the classroom? It is just a way of life: working hard goes beyond basketball. I am taking some more rigorous courses this semester and it helps keep me focused. The business world, especially finance, is like basketball: 1 day I would like to work in a front office.
The ACC is getting 3 new teams this year in Cal/SMU/Stanford: any thoughts on conference realignment? It does not matter who our opponent is or how many teams are in our league. In my opinion the ACC is the best league in basketball, and I am fortunate to be a part of it.
Your non-conference schedule includes games against Florida/LSU: is there any 1 game that you feel will present your biggest test or that you are looking forward to the most? This is my 2nd year here, and I think we can legitimately make it to the NCAA tourney. Those 2 games will be big for our NET rating…but every game is important, so I just want to take care of business. My family will get to see me play Temple/UMass in Connecticut over Thanksgiving break so that will also be great.
Your brothers Deng/Tinga both played college basketball: who is the best athlete in the family? It is me without a doubt!
What are your goals for the upcoming season, and what are your expectations for the upcoming season? I just want to win: I do not care about any personal accomplishments. I need to bring my game to a new level and continue to develop/produce…but I want to make the NCAA tourney above all else.