Nate Bowman Explained

Nate Bowman
Height Ft:6
Height In:10
Weight Lb:230
Birth Date:19 March 1943
Birth Place:Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Death Place:New York City, New York, U.S.
High School:Kirkpatrick (Fort Worth, Texas)
College:Wichita State (1962–1965)
Draft Year:1965
Draft Round:1
Draft Pick:7
Draft Team:Cincinnati Royals
Career Start:1965
Career End:1973
Career Number:12, 17, 13
Career Position:Center
Years1:1965–1966
Team1:Johnston C.J.'s
Team2:Chicago Bulls
Years3:1966–1967
Team3:Asbury Park Boardwalkers
Years4:
Team4:New York Knicks
Team5:Buffalo Braves
Years6:1971–1972
Team6:Pittsburgh Condors
Years7:1972–1973
Team7:Wilkes-Barre Barons
Highlights:
Stats League:NBA and ABA
Stat1label:Points
Stat1value:745 (2.9 ppg)
Stat2label:Rebounds
Stat2value:878 (3.4 rpg)
Stat3label:Assists
Stat3value:175 (0.7 apg)

Nathan "Nate the Snake" Bowman (March 19, 1943 – December 11, 1984) was an American basketball player born in Fort Worth, Texas.

A 6'10" center from Wichita State University, Bowman played five seasons (1966 - 1971) in the National Basketball Association and one season (1971 - 1972) in the American Basketball Association as a member of the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Buffalo Braves, and Pittsburgh Condors. He won an NBA Championship as a reserve for the Knicks in 1970. In his NBA/ABA career, Bowman tallied 745 total points and 878 total rebounds. He was a good rebounder, but a poor shooter who had a problem with committing personal fouls, thus earning the nickname "Nate the Snake." In his NBA/ABA career, he committed more personal fouls than he scored field goals.

Bowman was one of several players involved in a November 20, 1968, brawl between the Knicks and Atlanta Hawks at Atlanta's Alexander Memorial Coliseum. The fight eventually spilled into the stands, where fans grabbed Bowman so that Atlanta's Bill Bridges could land a punch.[1] None of the participants were fined more than $25.[2]

Bowman was a swinger and attended swing parties at actor Ted Ross's house.[3]

Bowman died of cardiac arrest on December 11, 1984, in New York City. He had finished an audition for a Miller Brewing Company television commercial when he began to complain about chest pains. Bowman arrived at Roosevelt-St. Luke's Hospital with no vital signs and died in the emergency room.[4]

Career statistics

NBA/ABA

Source[5]

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGPPG
Chicago9 7.2 .381 .750 3.1 .2 2.4
New York42 0 6.5 .388 .667 2.7 .5 2.7
New York67 1 9.1 .363 .475 3.3 .8 2.9
New York81 1 9.2 .417 .519 3.2 .6 2.9
Buffalo44 11.0 .392 .526 3.9 .9 3.1
Pittsburgh (ABA)18 12.1 .358 .000 .556 4.8 .7 2.4
Career (NBA)243 2 8.9 .390 .527 3.3 .7 2.9
Career (overall)261 2 9.1 .388 .000 .529 3.4 .7 2.9

Playoffs

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%FT%RPGAPGPPG
1968New York1 0 6.0 .000  - 3.0 .0 .0
1969New York10 0 6.2 .267 1.000 3.2 .3 1.1
1970New York (ABA)18 1 7.1 .383 .700 2.4 .3 2.4
Career29 1 6.8 .333 .769 2.7 .3 1.9

External links

Notes and References

  1. Koppett, Leonard. "Hawks set back Knicks 111-106". The New York Times. 21 November 1968.
  2. Mike Hudson. "Brawl Games". The Roanoke Times. 12 December 2004.
  3. Web site: West . Ashley . August 9, 2020 . Joseph Stryker: Live Sex… in Show World, Avon Theaters, Melody Burlesk, and Adult Films . The Rialto Report.
  4. News: Nate Bowman Is Dead;Former Knicks Center . May 28, 2021 . The New York Times . December 12, 1984 . 29.
  5. Web site: Nate Bowman NBA/ABA stats. Basketball Reference. Sports Reference LLC. 2 June 2024.