Sam Bowie

Samuel Paul Bowie (born March 17, 1961) is a former American professional basketball player. A national sensation in high school and outstanding collegian and Olympic team member, Bowie\'s professional promise was undermined by repeated injuries to his legs and feet. In spite of the setbacks, the 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) and 235 lb (107 kg) center played ten seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).\n', ' Projected as a solid first rounder in the 1984 NBA draft, Bowie was chosen by the Portland Trail Blazers as the second selection, ahead of Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, due to Portland already having drafted Clyde Drexler just a year before.\n', ' Sam is the son of Ben Bowie and "Sammy" Cathy Bowie, born March 19, 1961. His father died suddenly, at the age of 45, when a cyst on his lung burst. Sam was a sophomore in college. His father was 6–10 and had played six seasons for the Harlem Magicians. His parents divorced when Sam, the oldest of two children, was 12. After the divorce, Sam lived with both of his parents in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. But, concerned about not showing favoritism toward either parent, Sam lived with his maternal grandmother until going to college.\n', '