Working in extreme stealth-mode, Mark Fox has secured his first commitment of the 2020 recruiting class. Monty Bowser, a 6-6 or 6-5 (depending on the news source) wing out of Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland. Bowser chose the Bears over offers from San Diego State, UC Davis, Grand Canyon, and a slew of other California-based mid-major programs.
Bowser is a three-star recruit ranked No. 238 by 247Sports. He’s also ranked the No. 42 small forward and No. 28 player in California for the 2020 class.
Bowser looks like he could use some time in the weight room, but has a quick and high release and an ability to knock down outside shots. He also shows finesse around the rim. (Watch for No. 24 in white in the video below.)
As long as there are now transfers during or after this season (never a guarantee in college hoops, especially with a new staff), Cal will have two open scholarships as Paris Austin and Kareem South are set to graduate. Bowser’s commitment seems to be a piece in filling South’s spot as he is more of an off-the-ball scoring guard and Austin is a bit more of a point guard.
The Bears also wait on the decision of four-star recruit Jamal Mashburn Jr. out of Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. The 6-2 guard is reportedly making a decision on Monday, October 14 between Minnesota and Cal. For what it’s worth, the majority of 247Sports crystal ball projections have Mashburn Jr. going to Minnesota. Mashburn Jr. visited Berkeley in September and followed that with his second official visit to Minneapolis.
GBear4Life said:
I think it's kind of interesting how a HC determines who and when to offer scholarships to.
With mid-tier prospects who you like, you know if you offer him as the only major conference school, he'll probably commit right away. You're also risking a scholarship for 4-5 years on a guy who a) may not end up an impactful player and b) there may be a better player available you'd rather offer to later in the process.
The risk vs reward, and projecting who will be available that would consider your program as they mull over the decision, has got to be a difficult process.
Cool insight, thanks.TheSouseFamily said:GBear4Life said:
I think it's kind of interesting how a HC determines who and when to offer scholarships to.
With mid-tier prospects who you like, you know if you offer him as the only major conference school, he'll probably commit right away. You're also risking a scholarship for 4-5 years on a guy who a) may not end up an impactful player and b) there may be a better player available you'd rather offer to later in the process.
The risk vs reward, and projecting who will be available that would consider your program as they mull over the decision, has got to be a difficult process.
He looks athletic and has good size and fluidity so I think he could end up being a contributor for us.
But to your point, I'd guess that he was very recently offered and basically accepted on the spot. Fox went after a lot of top players and nobody's really bit, which is to be expected. Currently, we're showing only 9 pending offers and just about all of them are pioe dreams with the exception of Mashburn and even he appears to be a strong Minnesota lean. So I think Fox saw the writing on the wall and went to the next tier. That said, Bowser is rranked the 2nd best senior in the Bay Area (top 250 nationally) and had a recent strong performance at the NorCal Clash game, which is why most of his offers have come in over the last month or so, including (presumably) ours. He's always publicly acknowledged on Twitter his offers but never did so with ours, so I think this all happened quickly. Could be wrong.
oskidunker said:
I once asked the band to play louie louie again many years ago. I even offered to donate some money but the refused. They said Lew Campanelli was gone and it was basically a high school song. So i gave up. It used to energize the crowd.
sosheezy said:
Saw him last January as a junior when O'Dowd played Berkeley High. He played inside a decent amount because O'Dowd sat some of their bigs but had a nice touch from outside and could handle a bit. Was able to get up on a nice dunk. Still a bit of a babyface so definitely room grow, get stronger and more explosive.
I could see the fox song taking off. Too bad there isn't a bear verse, but the song is ripe for being remastered. This would be something you would want to have the students practice and have the background music piped into the arena.calumnus said:oskidunker said:
I once asked the band to play louie louie again many years ago. I even offered to donate some money but the refused. They said Lew Campanelli was gone and it was basically a high school song. So i gave up. It used to energize the crowd.
In honor of our new coach they should play:
I think the students would get into it.
That was the intention. Those guys are Norwegian comedians.oskidunker said:
Stupid song.
BeachedBear said:That was the intention. Those guys are Norwegian comedians.oskidunker said:
Stupid song.
Agreedcalumnus said:BeachedBear said:That was the intention. Those guys are Norwegian comedians.oskidunker said:
Stupid song.
And the students are millennials, they will all know this stupid song and would get into it for the irony.
helltopay1 said:
Bowser, according to 24/7 sports, is a 2* player. looking at his offers, he presents as a mid-major athlete. That's fine, as long as you are a mid-major school. He wasn't offered by St. Mary's Santa Clara or USF. Color me very underwhelmed. our next recruit better be at least a high3* PG. Otherwise, let's schedule Ivy league schools.
helltopay1 said:
dear Souse family: if I were a lawyer ( in no other profession is it acceptable to lie for a living) I would say that, what you stated is " distinction without a difference." He still presents as a barely minimal mid-major player. Naturally, he may improve..
