Kings import Brian Bowen Jr pops up on NBA radars after impressive performances in front of scouts

Brian Bowen Jr’s surge towards this year’s NBA draft has taken a significant step with the Sydney Kings star impressing scouts from high-flying champions the Golden State Warriors.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 03: Brian Bowen of the Kings looks on during the warm up in the round 16 NBL match between the Sydney Kings and the Brisbane Bullets at Qudos Bank Arena on February 03, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Brian Bowen Jr’s surge towards this year’s NBA draft has taken a significant step with the Sydney Kings’ American signing starring in front of a representative from the Golden State Warriors.

Bowen was brilliant for the Kings in their impressive win over Melbourne United on Friday night.

He finished with 12 points, including two of two from the perimeter. He also added five rebounds in a classy display of maturity well beyond his 20 years.

Brian Bowen has found himself on the radar of NBA champions Golden State. Picture: AAP

Bowen’s standout performance came at the perfect time with Warriors’ director of player personnel Larry Harris at the game.

Harris’ presence was telling given back-to-back NBA champions Warriors will most likely look to draft a player late in the first round.

Bowen is tipped to be a late first round or early second round selection.

A scout from the Eastern Conference leading Milwaukee Bucks recently attended a Kings game to watch Bowen.

Bowen has been an entertainer for the Kings this season. Picture: Getty

Like the Warriors, the Bucks will aim to draft a player in the latter stages of the first round.

This places Bowen in a strong position heading into this June’s NBA draft in Brooklyn, according to Kings coach Andrew Gaze.

“If I was an NBA scout and I was scouting that particular game, I’d be thinking — hang on the kid is 20 and he has got a really bright future,” Gaze said.

“There is a lot to work with there.

“We’ve had a few scouts in recently, which is always good for motivation as well.”

Bowen has only averaged 12 minutes on the floor this season to go with 6.5 points and 3.0 rebounds but Gaze says his influence has been profound.

Sydney Kings coach Andrew Gaze has praised the work ethic of Bowen. Picture: AAP

He revealed the rising small forward is working overtime behind the scenes to hone his hoops craft.

“We had a day off recently but he came in with some of the young guys to get a few more shots up,” he said.

“That is the sort of rewards you get.

“He had a couple of open looks and he made them. He also had five rebounds. “His work on the defensive end is the area where he is working very hard. He is a willing defender but he has just lacked a bit of experience.

“Things like how he has got to fight over the top of those screens with those shooters.

“But he picks things up really quickly.

“Brian is a great kid. He is pretty quiet, well certainly around me. But every time I talk to him he is respectful, he listens and he is a hard worker.

“Brian is an important part of what we do.”

Bowen will look to maintain his impressive form when Sydney take on the Wildcats in Perth on Sunday.

The Kings must win to retain first position.

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Originally published as Kings import Brian Bowen Jr pops up on NBA radars after impressive performances in front of scouts