As I look back to the initial years trying to understand this ‘kid’s’ speech, keep up with him during running trials, payback every prank he ‘honoured’ me with and his eventual ability to supersede me in the anger stakes, I still smile and reflect on being part of someone’s basketball journey that is summed up with thoughts of determination to improve and be a key part of a teams pursuit of success, effort, hustle and the underrated ability to always be there for your teammates.

I am glad to be a part of the 300^th game that Andrew “Angry Ant, Hungrryyyy, Bowwy, Yao Ming” Bowman will play this Friday versus the Hawks at Mike Barnett Sports Complex. 

From a fast, at times out of control 1000 miles an hour person (in playing, speaking, being a team pest, his temper and living) to a calmer, more relaxed solid citizen we have watched first hand the highs and lows of the journey that got him here.

He has slowed down but once a pest always a pest and a big one at that.

I got to catch up with Yao Ming Junior recently and once we actually listened to each other, the transcript below was about as civil as things got.

Whopper:

Can you remember what you first thought of Perth, on that special day when you flew in from Vietnam as a little kid?

Bowwy (in BOLD throughout):

Yes I loved Perth when I first saw it. Didn't love being called Monkey Magic for the last 12 years of my life (laughs and shakes his head in anger at my sarcastic and false question).

It was actually ‘Pigsy’ off of Monkey Magic Bowwy! I think Jason Kwan earned the Monkey Magic title.

Describe your first involvement with the Rockingham SBL Men’s team as an annoying kid (fitting the description above)? Did you feel 'safe' and welcome amongst the calibre* of men you were stuck with?

NOTE: Calibre* is a term used very loosely here, it is not necessarily meant to reflect quality!

My first involvement with SBL was having the then Assistant Coach for the Flames ‘Claydo’ (Mark Clayden) asking if I was keen to train with the squad. I was maybe 17 and thought it was one of the best things ever, and jumped at the opportunity. It took me a couple years to actually get a game but I just enjoyed training with the likes of Travvy Moore, (Anthony) Exeter, Peter Moore, Dave Hartnett, Matty Parks and Yourself who as I got to know better all became more like older brothers than just teammates.

You all advised me on pretty much everything from girls (we laugh) to betting, beers and basketball (all the important things in life J). So yes I felt safe and relished the fact I was the kid of the SBL group.

First pre-season game 2002? DO you remember what happened? I’ll tell you what I saw then you recollect your version of events;

Whopper: “From our view the boys looked from the bench, looked up and saw you on your usual kamikaze/blinkers like frenzy motoring to the hoop, but then we saw you fly into the wall and I think the Magic’s - Ricky “Sticky” Beet the 6”7 behemoth was lurking nearby.”

“We thought you got taken out by him and we all rose and went to charge the court. I was at the other end of the bench shoeless about to ice up, and got up and looked at Corbo and waited for him to give the “OK” so we could run at whoever hurt you, but all he (Coach Corbitt) said was “I’m pretty sure he’s just fallen over with nobody near him!” I walked over to you to help you up and we all laughed at your expense! Welcome to the SBL Bowwy! Great start young fella.”

Bowwy: “Yeah I remember my first pre season game. Funny enough we were playing Mandurah and there was bout 3 minutes left in the game and Kev Corbitt put me in and I was shaking I was so nervous. Matty Parks threw me a lead pass and I sprinted the lanes for an easy layup no one near me and as I went up I turned my ankle really bad and went flying into the old Court One Perry Lakes wall. I was out for 8 weeks (he laughs) so I couldn't have asked for a better start really.”

Tell us about your supportive family (parents Bill and Gwen, the very lovely Jessica your sister and your just as lovely wife Casey). How vital has it been to have them at almost every one of your games since you started (Your parents must have been at 295 of them)!

NOTE: As I refer to the ‘lovely” Jessica and wife Casey I get the big tough guy staredown :)

My wife and my family’s support have been the major reasons I've reached this milestone. My parents have missed only the road trip games so that's a great effort and if I have gone 0 for 20 (FG shooting) and have ten turnovers they would still point out the good things I did in the game. My sister has had to put up with a lot with my basketball. It was always being talked about at dinners and family gatherings and she never complained and comes to games as much as she can and yeah her support means a lot to me. And finally my wife, when I told Casey I played basketball I don't think she understood the obsession that comes with it. Watching/talking NBA, NBL, SBL etc. The ups and downs a season bring and yeah no matter what has happened she has supported me 100%. She is incredible and I love her to bits.

If the SBL had a "Punching Above his Weight Award" it would be named after you! Would you be happy with this honour? You must have a great personality!

I would be very happy with the honour of the "punching above my weight award" (laughs)

You’ve journeyed hoops wise from Rocko to Mandurah to Rocko. How have you evolved as a player over this time?

“Evolving as a player wise, I think I have grown up and matured a lot. Like I'm never going to be a great shooter or scorer but I got better all round in other ways like rebounding and passing and defence to help who I was playing for. I played point a bit in Mandurah and it is a very mentally hard position. You always have to be on your game so that helped me a lot. Plus losing a lot of games early help me realise being in a winning team is the most important thing in basketball. Stats aren't that important when u lose by 30.”

What has changed about the SBL since 2003 when you debuted under Coach Kevvy Corbitts?

What's changed about SBL the most is probably the amount of young talent now, coming through. Every single team you play there is some new kid coming off the bench who seems to score 20 in a half. Also you could get away with a lot more back then but I think that's just the progression of basketball now.

What has changed the most about you basketball wise since you started?

A lot has changed about me since I started basketball. I was pretty much a bull in a china shop when I started. Like I said before I have matured a lot and patience has come in my life (he laughs). I'm a pretty emotional player so I learned transfer that into good energy instead of getting angry, starting a fight and get thrown out.

Give us one memory about your first game:

A clear memory about my first game was giving an assist to Mark Cain and all the boys on the bench standing up and getting behind me and the other rookies.

In which of the following seasons did your next assist occur?

…………………(insert silence here)………………………

What about your Rockingham return this year?

Coming back to ‘Rocko’ has been pretty much perfect. I do love playing for where I grew up and knew I would end up back here. No disrespect to Mandurah. Everything fitted perfectly this year with a few mates from Mandurah coming up and Travvy (Moore), Jar (Griffin) and yourself being at the club, it was an easy decision and it's paying off at the moment.

Can you say Irish Wristwatch fast?

I cannot say Irish wristwatch at all, let alone fast you ******.

300 A look back in time

Craziest Teammate? Why?

Craziest teammate is a hard one. Would have to say Sean Houston was pretty crazy. So talented and loved the "party lifestyle"

Funniest/Most Bizarre thing you have ever seen ON an SBL court

Funniest moment would have to be when I got my head taped to the floor because some "doctor" thought I had dislocated/broke my neck which I didn't think could be done. I'm sure whoever saw that would of had a laugh at my expense but losing by 50 two games in a row that playoff series was just as ridiculous!

Best Import you have seen

Best import I've seen is hard cause I'm gonna be biased. Talent wise it's a draw between Cooper Land and Taylor Mullinax. Both can win games off their own back but play the big man positions in totally different ways. I'm also going to say Taylor Land is up there just because of what he brings to the team. He is a true club man and puts everything he has into every game for the club he is playing for and not many imports do that I feel.

Most Annoying Teammate? Why?

Most annoying teammate is pretty easy. It's another draw between Ben Caporn and Trav Moore just because they always think they know it all cause they are old, tired, miserable has beens!

Most memorable game? Why?

Most memorable game is all the play off games I've played but there is a regular season game against the Buccs in Geraldton that I will never forget. Carlin hit a 3 to give us a 3 point lead ‘on the buzzer’ (we’ll so we thought). We celebrated and let the crowd know about it BUT the referee claimed there was 0.7 seconds left. Long story short, the Buccs inbounded to Bunts (Jason Bunter) and he hit a hookshot near half court off the glass to tie it up in farcical circumstances. We then lost narrowly in OT. It was pretty incredible how 0.7 seconds in a game can change your whole season.

Toughest Opponent? Why?

Toughest opponent would be another draw between Michael Lay in his prime and Shamus Ballantyne in his prime. Lay’s speed and Mus’ (Ballantyne’s) smarts were just a class above the rest and a great challenge to test yourself against.

3 Words of Less

Mandurah Magic?

Great family club

Taylor Mullinax?

Unstoppable on the post (pretty sure I said 3 Words Bowwy)

Rodger Smith?

Best basketball brain

Sydney Swans?

2014 Premiers

Ben Caporn?

Captain Annoying Mute

Bricklaying?

Not Fun

Roadtrips?

Best Memories Ever

400 games?

Not a chance

Aaron Trahair?

Funniest NBL Legend

Justin Timberlake?

I love him

[NOTE: Bowwy actually wrote “belts out a tune” however editing got the better of me]

Retirement might be looming over the next few years, what are your aims prior to you hanging up the Pink Socks and hi-tops?

Obviously the ultimate would be to win a championship with a great bunch of teammates and we are in a good position to give it a good shake this season. As distant second times twenty I guess would be a chance to play for a title but again let me emphasise that this is a distant second.

So there you have it SBL Land, Andrew Bowman in full flight (minus the spin move) and frown! 300 games of heart and determination, 300 games of tough defense and inspirational plays, 300 games of jumbled speeches (you’re much better now), frustration that has disappeared with maturity, as has the toe to toes with teammates, referees and opponents (Robbins v Bowwy almost bought down Willeton Stadium)!!!

Bowwy’s 300 games highlights effort and hustle when most have given up. I amongst many take my hat off (if I could fit hats) and pay my respects to a mate, teammate and lifelong pest who never backs down from a challenge, has his teammates back and wears his playing shirt with pride and honour. Yeah he punches above his weight but let’s not tarnish an amazing milestone with that nonsense. Go get em’ Angry! Smash em’ mate and congrats!

Whopper do I need to reply to this bit?

No.

Come and join the long queues and head down to Flames v Hawks at the Mike Barnett Sports Complex this Friday 18^th July at 2030. Andrew has confirmed he will individually thank everyone who comes down after the game so be there and enjoy a great night!

Article by: Darren “Whopper” Russell and Jason Spitty – Cook

Images by: Steve Brooks Photography

Photo 1: Flying to the hoop for an easy one v Magic

Photo 2: "Hey guysth' don't go near my balloons!" 

Photo 3: Coach Utley 'pleased' with the shot selection!