Bryce McGowens Bio
Bryce Alexander McGowens (born November 8, 2002) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) and listed at 190 lb (86 kg), he plays the shooting guard position and contributes on a two-way arrangement with the Birmingham Squadron of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Nebraska Cornhuskers before declaring for the 2022 NBA draft.
McGowens built his reputation as a scoring guard during his high school years in South Carolina, where he emerged as one of the top-rated recruits in the country. After a single season at Nebraska, he transitioned to the professional ranks and has since competed across the NBA and the NBA G League.
Early Life and Background
Bryce Alexander McGowens was born on November 8, 2002, in Pendleton, South Carolina. He grew up in a deeply athletic family in the Upstate region of South Carolina, where sports played a central role in daily life. His parents, Bobby McGowens and Pam McGowens, both competed at the collegiate level and later built careers in coaching, providing Bryce with an environment shaped by basketball from an early age.
His father, Bobby, was a two-sport athlete who played basketball and football at South Carolina State after beginning his football career at Clemson. His mother, Pam, played basketball at Western Carolina. Both parents have coached high school basketball, a background that helped Bryce develop strong fundamentals and a clear understanding of the game. He also has an older brother, Trey, who later played college basketball at Pittsburgh before transferring to Nebraska.
Path to Basketball
McGowens began his high school career at Wren High School in Piedmont, South Carolina, where he quickly established himself as a high-volume scorer. As a sophomore, he averaged 26.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and three assists per game and was named Region 1-4A Player of the Year. In his junior season, he set a school record with 65 points in a second-round Class 4A playoff win, averaging 25.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists while leading his team to the Class 4A Upper State championship game and earning Region 1-4A Player of the Year honors for a second time.
For his senior season, McGowens transferred to Legacy Early College in Greenville, South Carolina, where he averaged 21.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. He earned South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year honors and was selected to the Jordan Brand Classic roster, reinforcing his status as a five-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals and a four-star recruit by ESPN. After initially committing to Florida State in February 2020 and later reopening his recruitment, he committed to Nebraska in November 2020, becoming the highest-ranked recruit and the first five-star signee in program history.
Bryce McGowens Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
McGowens made his Nebraska debut on November 9, 2021, scoring 25 points in a narrow 75–74 loss to Western Illinois. He quickly became a central figure in the Cornhuskers’ offense, finishing the season with averages of 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. A highlight came on March 1, 2022, when he scored 26 points in a 78–70 win against Ohio State, though a hand injury from that contest forced him to miss the following game against Wisconsin.
His lone college campaign earned him third-team All-Big Ten honors and a selection to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. On March 21, 2022, McGowens declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility and ending his Nebraska career as one of the most productive freshmen in program history.
Charlotte Hornets Breakthrough (2022–2024)
McGowens was selected with the 40th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves and was traded to the Charlotte Hornets. On July 2, 2022, the Hornets signed him to a two-way contract, allowing him to split time between Charlotte and their NBA G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm. He used that arrangement to adjust to the professional level and refine his shot creation against grown men.
On February 26, 2023, the Hornets converted McGowens’ deal to a multi-year contract, a sign of confidence in his continued development. He spent parts of two seasons within the Charlotte organization, gaining valuable minutes at both the NBA and G League levels. On July 6, 2024, McGowens was waived by the Hornets, opening the door to a new opportunity.
Portland Trail Blazers Era (2024–2025)
On July 11, 2024, McGowens signed a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, joining their G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix. In 13 NBA games for Portland during the 2024–25 season, he averaged 1.0 point, 0.2 rebounds, and 0.2 assists in 2.5 minutes per game, working to carve out a role within a deep Portland rotation.
While playing for the Rip City Remix, McGowens suffered a season-ending right rib fracture on March 26, 2025. Despite the shortened campaign, his performance at the G League level was recognized when he was named to the All-NBA G League Second Team for 2025, underscoring his productivity and scoring instincts in extended minutes.
New Orleans Pelicans Era (2025–Present)
On July 30, 2025, McGowens signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, linking him with the Birmingham Squadron of the NBA G League. He joined a young Pelicans backcourt looking for shooting and wing depth, and he continued to develop his offensive game within the franchise’s system. His prior G League production and NBA experience positioned him as a contributor in New Orleans’ two-way pipeline.
On February 20, 2026, the Pelicans signed McGowens to a three-year, standard NBA contract, a meaningful step that reflected his growth within the organization. He now works to establish a consistent rotation role in New Orleans while contributing to Birmingham when assigned.
Driving Style and Strengths
McGowens is known as a confident perimeter scorer with a smooth shooting stroke, capable of creating his own offense off the dribble and finishing through contact at the rim. He combines length and athleticism with the footwork developed under his parents’ coaching, allowing him to operate effectively from the shooting guard position. His comfort in pick-and-roll situations and his ability to score in bunches make him a reliable option in bench units.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature accomplishments, McGowens scored a school-record 65 points in a Class 4A playoff game during his junior year at Wren High School. He was selected to the Jordan Brand Classic, named South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year, and became Nebraska’s first five-star recruit. In the professional ranks, his 2025 All-NBA G League Second Team selection stands as a clear milestone of his continued development.
Bryce McGowens Career Wins
Bryce Alexander McGowens’ competitive record spans high school state-level success, conference recognition in college, and professional contributions across the NBA and NBA G League. While individual game-by-game win totals are not fully documented in available sources, his career is marked by selection to multiple all-star and all-conference teams rather than championship trophies.
High School and College Highlights
At Wren High School, McGowens led his team to a Class 4A Upper State runner-up finish as a sophomore and a Class 4A Upper State championship game appearance as a junior, while earning Region 1-4A Player of the Year in both seasons. He closed his high school career at Legacy Early College by winning South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year, and he had previously been named South Carolina Mr. Basketball in 2021. At Nebraska, he was named third-team All-Big Ten and to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2022.
Other Performances
McGowens earned an All-NBA G League Second Team nod in 2025 following his work with the Rip City Remix, signaling his growth as a professional scorer. His transition from two-way contributor to standard NBA contract holder with the New Orleans Pelicans reflects consistent improvement across multiple organizations.
Bryce McGowens Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Basketball runs deep in the McGowens family. Bryce’s father, Bobby McGowens, was a two-sport athlete in basketball and football at South Carolina State after playing football at Clemson, and has coached high school basketball. His mother, Pam McGowens, played college basketball at Western Carolina and has also coached at the high school level. His older brother, Trey McGowens, played college basketball at Pittsburgh before transferring to Nebraska, continuing the family’s basketball tradition.
Personal Life
McGowens was raised in Pendleton, South Carolina, and remains closely tied to his family, who have shaped his approach to the game through their own playing and coaching backgrounds. Public details about his personal relationships, marital status, and children are not widely documented.
2025 Season Performance
McGowens began 2025 with the Portland Trail Blazers on a two-way contract, splitting his time between the NBA roster and the Rip City Remix of the NBA G League. In 13 NBA appearances for Portland, he averaged 1.0 point, 0.2 rebounds, and 0.2 assists in 2.5 minutes per game, working to find his rhythm in a limited rotation. His G League production with the Remix, however, was strong enough to earn him an All-NBA G League Second Team selection for 2025.
On July 30, 2025, McGowens signed a two-way contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, beginning a new chapter alongside the Birmingham Squadron. The move offered a fresh opportunity to compete for minutes in a young Pelicans backcourt while continuing his G League development. His season was interrupted on March 26, 2025, when he suffered a season-ending right rib fracture while playing for the Rip City Remix.
On February 20, 2026, the Pelicans converted McGowens’ two-way deal into a three-year, standard NBA contract, a significant validation of his growth within the organization. The agreement positioned him as a longer-term piece of the Pelicans’ plans and rewarded his scoring instincts and two-way potential. Looking ahead, McGowens enters his standard NBA deal focused on establishing a steady rotation role and building on the momentum of his 2025 G League recognition.
