NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Living a few hours south in Huntsville, Alabama, Emily Bowman became easily acquainted with the Vanderbilt women’s basketball program.
An official recruiting visit to campus along with attending numerous Vandy games during the 2019-20 season just further confirmed what Bowman already knew – she couldn’t wait to be a Commodore.
“It was so much fun getting to see them play last year,” Bowman said. “Just watching them grow as a team and just compete, it was so fun watching it happen.”
STARZ 2020 6-5 Post EMILY BOWMAN (7A-Huntsville HS) signed her LOI today w/ @VandyWBB of the SEC & Head Coach @StephanieWhite! Congrats to @emilybowman2002! #anchordown Go STARZ! pic.twitter.com/oEMTimjHEg
— AL Southern Starz (@ALSoStarz) November 13, 2019
Bowman, listed at 6-foot-6, is the tallest Vanderbilt student-athlete on the 2020-21 roster. Height has always been one of her key characteristics – she joked that she’s always been taller than all her friends.
But basketball prowess has also become part or her definition during her prep career at Huntsville High School. After moving to the northern Alabama city from Georgia in eighth grade, Bowman scored nearly 1,400 points in her career and came within 15 rebounds of 1,000.
Bowman was a McDonald’s All-American nominee and a 2019 7A State Player of the Year finalist while blocking 471 shots for HHS during her career. She averaged a double-double (12.5 points and 10.5 rebounds) in her senior campaign.
“I just want to bring a positive attitude and I just want to learn as much as I can my freshman year and just improve as a player,” Bowman said about building the next chapter of her career. “(Vanderbilt) really wants me to be a solid defensive player and set screens and rebound, play aggressively.”
STARZ 2025 (7th GR) ZAKERIA BERRY w/ the FT Miss & 2020 6-5 EMILY BOWMAN (@VandyWBB Signee) w/ the Putback for Huntsville in 7A Area 7 Semifinal vs Sparkman! STARZ vs STARZ! SHS leads 19-16 in Q2. pic.twitter.com/tkbcPZ01v3
— AL Southern Starz (@ALSoStarz) February 5, 2020
Bowman first came to Nashville during her sophomore year of school to participate in a basketball camp. She said she instantly fell in love with the coaching staff’s positivity and talent.
That facet, combined with the overall talent of her Vandy teammates, has Bowman itching to get on the Memorial Gymnasium floor.
“I’m so excited to get up there and play for coach (Stephanie) White,” Bowman said. “The coaching staff is so great and I’m just excited to learn from them – and my teammates are so talented, too, so I just can’t wait to get on the court with them as well.”
Also named to the Alabama All-Star Team in March, ESPN rated Bowman as a three-star prospect and the No. 32 overall forward in the 2020 class.
Chad Bishop covers Vanderbilt for VUCommodores.com. Follow him @MrChadBishop.
