Ron Rowan
Encyclopedia
Ronald Lewis Rowan (born April 23, 1962, in New Brighton, Pennsylvania
) is a retired American
basketball
player. Rowan, a 6'5" 200 lb small forward
, played collegiately
at the University of Notre Dame
and St. John's University
.
Rowan starred at Beaver Falls (Pennsylvania) High School, averaging nearly 26 points per game as a senior. In February 1981, he committed to play for the University of Notre Dame, then coached by Digger Phelps
. In January 1983, Phelps suspended Rowan after learning that Rowan was planning to transfer to Penn State. When Penn State coach Dick Harter
left Penn State, Rowan was released from his commitment and later transferred to St. John's University.
In his first season at St. John's, Rowan played in 28 games alongside Chris Mullin, Mark Jackson, Willie Glass, and Bill Wennington, as the team went 31-4.
As a senior during the 1985-86 season at St. John's, Rowan averaged 14 points per game. Along with Jackson, Walter Berry, and Shelton Jones, Rowan helped St. John's to a 31-5 record. Rowan currently ranks among St. John's all-time top 10 free-throw percentage leaders (.871).
He was selected in the third round of the 1986 NBA Draft
by the Philadelphia 76ers
but was cut from the team during training camp. He then played in the Continental Basketball Association
, earning Rookie of the Year honors in 1987 while a member of the Topeka (Kansas) Sizzlers, where he averaged 18.8 points in 44 games.
In March 1987, he signed a 10-day contract with the Portland Trail Blazers
, averaging 1.7 points in seven games.
In 1988, Rowan moved to Italy where he played 11 seasons (5 in A1 division). He changed teams almost every year except when he played three seasons in Kleenex Pistoia
(1989–1992), where he scored 3,767 points in 117 matches.
New Brighton, Pennsylvania
New Brighton is a borough in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States, located along the Beaver River northwest of Pittsburgh. There are deposits of coal and clay in the vicinity. In the past, articles produced here included pottery, bricks, sewer pipe, glass, flour, twine, lead kegs,...
) is a retired American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. Rowan, a 6'5" 200 lb small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
, played collegiately
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
at the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
and St. John's University
St. John's University (New York City)
St. John's University is a private, Roman Catholic, coeducational university located in New York City, United States. Founded by the Congregation of the Mission in 1870, the school was originally located in the borough of Brooklyn in the neighborhood of Bedford–Stuyvesant...
.
Rowan starred at Beaver Falls (Pennsylvania) High School, averaging nearly 26 points per game as a senior. In February 1981, he committed to play for the University of Notre Dame, then coached by Digger Phelps
Digger Phelps
Richard "Digger" Phelps is a former American college basketball coach, most notably of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team from 1971 to 1991. Since 1993, he has served as an analyst on ESPN.-Career:...
. In January 1983, Phelps suspended Rowan after learning that Rowan was planning to transfer to Penn State. When Penn State coach Dick Harter
Dick Harter
Dick Harter is an American basketball coach, who has served as both a head and assistant coach in both the NBA and NCAA.-Coaching career:...
left Penn State, Rowan was released from his commitment and later transferred to St. John's University.
In his first season at St. John's, Rowan played in 28 games alongside Chris Mullin, Mark Jackson, Willie Glass, and Bill Wennington, as the team went 31-4.
As a senior during the 1985-86 season at St. John's, Rowan averaged 14 points per game. Along with Jackson, Walter Berry, and Shelton Jones, Rowan helped St. John's to a 31-5 record. Rowan currently ranks among St. John's all-time top 10 free-throw percentage leaders (.871).
He was selected in the third round of the 1986 NBA Draft
1986 NBA Draft
-Drug and health issues involving drafted players:There were various drug-related problems that plagued players in the 1986 NBA draft. Most notable was the death of highly-touted Len Bias. Bias died less than two days after being selected second overall by the defending champion Boston Celtics. His...
by the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
but was cut from the team during training camp. He then played in the Continental Basketball Association
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
, earning Rookie of the Year honors in 1987 while a member of the Topeka (Kansas) Sizzlers, where he averaged 18.8 points in 44 games.
In March 1987, he signed a 10-day contract with the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
, averaging 1.7 points in seven games.
In 1988, Rowan moved to Italy where he played 11 seasons (5 in A1 division). He changed teams almost every year except when he played three seasons in Kleenex Pistoia
Maltinti Pistoia
Olimpia Basket Pistoia, also known as Maltinti Pistoia after one of its historic sponsors, was an Italian professional basketball team from the town of Pistoia....
(1989–1992), where he scored 3,767 points in 117 matches.
External links
- NBA & college stats @ basketballreference.com
- Italian championship stats @ legabasket.it