PAC-12 Basketball: Top 15 impact players from the 2020 recruiting class

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 16: Singer Carnell Johnson performs the American national anthem before the championship game of the Pac-12 basketball tournament between the Oregon Ducks and the Washington Huskies at T-Mobile Arena on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Ducks defeated the Huskies 68-48. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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SPOKANE, WA – MARCH 18: The California Golden Bears (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

11. California Golden Bears – Monty Bowser

The small forward from Bishop O’Doud High School is not as physically gifted as the players mentioned before him, but he will be afforded a lot more opportunity. After a season that resulted in an eighth-place finish with a record of 7-11, Coach Mark Fox had some holes to fill, in which he managed to fill one.

As Cal Basketball waved goodbye to the 2019-20 season, they also waved goodbye to their starting backcourt. The departure of senior guards Paris Austin (9.4 PPG, 2.5 APG) and Kareem South (8.9 PPG, 2.3 RPG) will force or give an opportunity for Coach Fox to rearrange his line-up as he fits 6’6 Monty Bowser in as a starter.

Bowser has the size to be a great off-guard, it will, however, benefit the Golden Bears more if he plays small forward, so 6’4 leading scorer Matt Bradley can move to the two spot. At 6’6-185 pounds Bowser will not be at a distinct physical advantage playing against some of the better small forwards in the Pac-12. Players such as; Rob Edwards at 6’5-205, Timmy Allen at 6’6-204, and Chris Duarte at 6’6-190 all spent time at small forward while averaging double digits.

If Joel Brown is able to have the breakout season he is capable of, Bowser’s greatest impact will be allowing Matt Bradley to play in the backcourt. Bowser should have the rope to do so, as he only needs to stay ahead of Juhwan Harris-Dyson in the rotation.

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