FSU basketball: Taylor Bowen freshman season for Seminoles is underway

FSU basketball got a steal as the coaches were able to sign 6’10″ forward Taylor Bowen. The freshman forward is looking to play a role in elevating the Seminoles as a contender in the ACC. His journey is unique, as one of the prominent high school players in the country.

While he was supposed to graduate in 2022, Bowen re-classified to the class of 2023 to elevate his value. His high school journey is interesting as he spent his first few years at St. George School. Bowen later transferred to Brewster Academy, leading the school to two Elite Eight appearances. As Bowen re-classified, he committed to Florida State in June 2022.

With his height, Bowen shows to be a versatile forward who can produce in a multitude of ways. He’s at his best when running the fast break. Running with and without the basketball, Bowen is a matchup nightmare for many defenders. His size and strength allow him to absorb contact and finish against defenders. While running the break, Bowen shows his high basketball IQ by finding open teammates. While he draws attention from the defense, it allows his teammates to get open for high-quality shots.

The discipline Bowen plays with defensively separates him from many of his opponents. He’s a player who can defend multiple positions when switching, as well as using his length to protect the rim. Bowen is also excellent at interrupting the passing lanes. His effort on defense brings life to the team as they thrive as a collective on that end. Bowen’s defensive effort played a major factor during his senior year and was a reason why Brewster continued to succeed on the floor.

During the recruiting process, Bowen received multiple offers from schools like DePaul, Georgia, Duke, Houston, and several others. With many offers on the table, Bowen continued to build a relationship with FSU basketball associate head coach Stan Jones. Continuing to understand the culture of Florida State played a role in why Bowen committed to playing in garnet and gold.

“I wanted to go somewhere where I could follow my dreams,” Bowen stated in his interview with CBS Sports. “I thought that Florida State was the perfect fit for me.” Bowen has one goal: which is to play at the professional level. Vermont has featured many basketball legends and Bowen looks to continue the tradition. With the mentorship of Leonard Hamilton and the rest of the coaching staff, Bowen will be able to accomplish his dreams.