Brian Bowen has found a new home.
The controversial has transferred to South Carolina from Louisville. “I’m really excited to get an opportunity like this with a terrific coach like Frank Martin and a program like South Carolina,” Bowen told ESPN. Bowen’s attorney, Jason Setchen, said Bowen was admitted to the school on Monday and will likely enroll this week. Setchen said Bowen will “probably practice but cannot compete until he is formally reinstated by [the] NCAA.” It remains unclear when that might happen. One report indicated Bowen would be eligible for the 2018-19 season, but a South Carolina source said it “may be sooner” and added the school is “working on it.” South Carolina would have to obtain a waiver from the NCAA for Bowen to play this season since transfers have to sit one year, per NCAA rules. “No one knows when Bowen will be eligible,” one NCAA source told ZAGSBLOG.South Carolina is currently 10-6, 1-3 in the SEC. Martin defended the decision to add Bowen. “When I started doing my legwork, every single person I talked to that has had any dealing with that young man or that family speaks about what a great, great kid he is,” Martin said. “He didn’t beat a girl up, he hasn’t raped anybody, hasn’t flunked 10 different drug tests. He’s a good kid. He isn’t a flunkie. “I chose to be in education; that’s who I am. That’s why that kid is in school right now. I’m not into the phoniness of this business. You give him a chance. That’s what education is about.” Louisville fired AD Tom Jurich and head coach Rick Pitino after the FBI investigation alleged Bowen’s father solicited a $100,000 payment from Adidas in exchange for Bowen attending Louisville and later signing with Adidas upon turning pro. Bowen was suspended indefinitely by Louisville in September, and later cleared by the FBI. In November, his attorney announced he would transfer. “I didn’t know anything, anything at all,” Bowen told ESPN’s Jeff Goodman recently on “Outside the Lines.” “The same way the whole media found out is the same way I found out.” When Bowen learned his father, Brian Bowen Sr., was involved, he said, “I really didn’t believe it. Really to this day, I still didn’t believe it.” Bowen said he hasn’t spoken with his father about what happened. “I don’t want to know anything,” he said. “Whatever’s happened, I don’t want to know anything about it. I just want to see what happens with all the outcomes and everything. I’m very upset as far as not being able to play and everything. As far as the investigation and everything, I don’t even want to talk about it at all.” After leading La Lumiere (IN) to the Dick’s National High School championship last April, the 6-foot-7 Bowen chose Louisville out of the blue last June after he had initially listed a top five of Arizona, Creighton, Michigan State, N.C. State and Texas. His mother was quoted in FBI documents saying he “primarily considered Arizona.” For more on the Bowen situation, read our New York Times story here. Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter And Like ZAGS on FacebookWe have worked tirelessly for Brian Bowen to help him find his way back on the court. We are so grateful that So Carolina and Coach Martin are seeking reinstatement and ultimately for giving him a chance to compete for a National Championship. #athletedefender #gogamecocks #sec https://t.co/lEXrpVnghL
— Jason Setchen (@AthleteDefender) January 10, 2018
