Who doesn’t love an underdog story? That’s what the NBA G-League team pulled off during the first day of the NBA All-Star weekend. The protagonist of the win was Bryce McGowens, the Blazers’ G-League star. With the team behind by three, McGowens launched a tough three-pointer to reach the target score of 40. It helped Team G-League sink Team M in a nail-biting Rising Stars Semifinals contest.

McGowens is used to taking on the big role. As an elite high school prospect, he was among the top basketball players in the nation. But tonight his scoring a team-high 12 points has made many curious. Just how did Bryce McGowens land in the G-League and what is his ethnicity? Well, let’s find out.

What is Bryce McGowen’s ethnicity? Who are his parents?

McGowens was born to Bobby and Pam McGowens on November 8, 2002 in Pendleton, South Carolina. He also has two siblings, an elder brother Trey, and a younger sister Raina. The 22-year-old was born into a family rich in basketball heritage. His father Bobby McGowens starred as a multi-sport athlete at Clemson and South Carolina State. Football was his preferred sport. He ended his reign as South Carolina’s all-time leader in receiving yards

On the other hand, his mother Pam McGowens was an all-state guard at Wern High School after which she played for Western Carolina. Now, she is a high school basketball coach. Both his parents are American and of African-American descent. It makes Bryce and his two siblings of African-American descent as well.

The family has seen immense success with their children. Aside from the 22-year-old, his elder brother Troy was also part of the Clippers’ G-League roster after going undrafted. Bryce McGowens notably passed up on several college offers to join his brother in Nebraska to relive the joy of playing together.

How good was Bryce McGowens in college?

Being born to a basketball family, McGowens rose to stardom first through his high school exploits. Playing for Wren High School, his mother’s alma mater, he averaged 18.4 points as a freshman. His standout performance came in his junior season where he would set the school record with a 67-point performance.

In all three years at Wren, the Blazers’ G-League star earned all-state honors. McGowens would spend his last season at Legacy Earl College in South Carolina, deciding to stay closer to home. His senior season would also denote his potential. The 22-year-old ran away with South Carolina Gatorade Player of The Year honors while averaging 21.6 points in his final high school season.

It attracted offers from a series of top colleges such as Georgia, Oregon, and Michigan. But Bryce McGowens chose Nebraska for a chance to play with his elder brother Troy. The Blazers stalwart put his mark right away. A 25-point performance on his debut caught everyone’s attention. It set the record for the most points scored on debut in Nebraska Cornhuskers’ history.

But McGowens wouldn’t stop there. He adorned his lone college season with a series of accolades. In the conference, he led all the freshmen in scoring, averaging 16.8 points per game. His perimeter shooting and rebounding ability earned him a place in the Third-Team All-Big Ten.

It set up for him to be a promising talent to be available during the 2022 NBA draft. And it was the Minnesota Timberwolves that chose him in the second round with the 40th overall pick. He would quickly be traded to the Charlotte Hornets with a chance to prove himself. After initially signing a two-way contract, the Hornets converted him to a multi-year deal.

Charlotte would experiment with him, giving the star college prospect 17 minutes per game in his rookie season. McGowens made the most, averaging 5.3 points and 2 rebounds per game. But in 2024, the franchise would waive him giving the Portland Trail Blazers a chance to scoop another riveting young guard to develop.

Now, the 6’7″ McGowens is a regular for the Rip City Remix. Until now, NBA minutes were bleak for the 22-year-old. However, after dismantling some of the top young talents in the league tonight, Bryce McGowens may just have turned some heads. A tall guard that can shoot the ball well doesn’t come by often.

This performance might just give McGowens a chance at earning regular minutes. The question is, can he capitalize?