Minnesota prep forward commits to Gonzaga
Sam Dower’s AAU basketball coach remembers the first time Gonzaga’s coaching staff watched the 6-foot-9, 215-pound forward play.
“April 19th, in Dallas, Texas,” said Marquise Watts, who coached Dower on the Net Gain Sports team. “That was the first time, and since then it has been a constant pursuit. They didn’t miss a game in July. Wherever Sam was, Coach (Mark) Few or (assistant coach) Ray Giacoletti were there. That made a big difference with Sam.”
Dower visited Gonzaga during the weekend and gave the Bulldogs a verbal commitment, according to Watts and Tim Theisen, Dower’s coach at Osseo (Minn.) High.
Dower, entering his senior season, is the second commitment of GU’s 2009 class, joining 6-5 Mangisto Arop. The Bulldogs have been searching for a big man after ’09 commit Brock Osweiler changed his mind and decided to play football for Arizona State.
Watts and Theisen both said Dower has made huge strides in the last 18 months, but he needs to add muscle and weight to his frame. Dower began his sophomore season on Osseo’s junior varsity before joining the varsity. He averaged 13 points and nine rebounds as a junior on Osseo’s 28-1 team that also featured a 7-foot center and a point guard who had 20 Division I scholarship offers.
“We brought him along like that (as a sophomore) because we didn’t want to throw him out there,” Theisen said. “His growth over the last 18 months is off the charts, from being an unknown a couple years ago to a top 120 guy right now.”
The left-handed Dower is an effective scorer on the block and was second on the team in 3-point percentage last season, Theisen said.
“His left hook going over his right shoulder, it’s just money,” Watts said. “He can step out and knock down a 3. He can put it on the floor against slower, bigger guys. His hands and feet are probably his best attributes. He has extremely soft hands and great, great touch. … His upside is limitless.”
Dower averaged 22 points and 11.5 rebounds on the AAU circuit in July.
Dower chose Gonzaga over George Mason, Marquette, Minnesota and Cal. Attempts to contact Dower were unsuccessful.
“When he came back to school (Monday), he said he loved the school (Gonzaga), the facilities and the biggest thing that impressed him was the coaches and players,” Theisen said. “He was just in my room 25 minutes ago and he said, ‘Hold on. I have to call somebody.’ And he called (GU’s Micah Downs) to tell him happy birthday, so he’s developed a bond already.”