Bowman To Join OSU Basketball Team

Oklahoma State’s Adarius Bowman, an All-Big 12 receiver who had a team-best 60 catches for 1,181 yards and 12 touchdowns this past season, will be joining the 12th-ranked Cowboys basketball team, head coach Sean Sutton announced Sunday.

“Playing basketball was something I did growing up,” Bowman was quoted as saying Sunday in a news release through the OSU media relations office. “It’s something I love to do. My mom wants to see me do it. This will be a great experience for me.”

Bowman flew back to Oklahoma from his home in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Friday with the intention of meeting with Sutton to discuss the possibility of joining the shorthanded Cowboys, who have just eight scholarship players available since freshman Obi Muonelo suffered a broken bone in his leg. He attended the Cowboy basketball team’s shootaround Saturday before that night’s win over Baylor. Bowman met with the OSU head coach Sunday to discuss his options.

“Adarius and I had a great conversation today and I’m excited to announce that he’s going to join the basketball team and begin practicing with us (Monday),” Sutton said in the media relations office's release. “I’ve been really impressed while visiting with him at how sharp he is. And, he’s got a great personality.

“I visited with (Cowboy head football coach) Mike (Gundy) earlier today and he’s very supportive of Adarius’ decision. I appreciate him allowing Adarius to come out and play basketball.”

Bowman was a finalist for the Mr. Basketball award for Division II in Tennessee coming out of Notre Dame High School in Chattanooga. He won the title of Mr. Football following his senior season.

“Adarius is obviously an outstanding athlete and will definitely help us with our depth,” Sutton said. “We’re looking forward to him joining the team.”

Bowman is expected to be on the Cowboy bench when they travel to play ninth-ranked Kansas on Wednesday night in Lawrence, Kans.