Nathan "Nate the Snake" Bowman (March 19, 1943 – December 11, 1984) was an American basketball player born in Fort Worth, Texas.

Nate Bowman
Personal information
Born(1943-03-19)March 19, 1943
Fort Worth, Texas
DiedDecember 11, 1984(1984-12-11) (aged 41)
New York City, New York
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight230 lb (104 kg)
Career information
High schoolKirkpatrick (Fort Worth, Texas)
CollegeWichita State (1962–1965)
NBA draft1965: 1st round, 7th overall pick
Selected by the Cincinnati Royals
Playing career1965–1973
PositionCenter
Number12, 17, 13
Career history
1965–1966Johnston C.J.'s
1966Chicago Bulls
1966–1967Asbury Park Boardwalkers
19671970New York Knicks
1970–1971Buffalo Braves
1971–1972Pittsburgh Condors
1972–1973Wilkes-Barre Barons
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA and ABA statistics
Points745 (2.9 ppg)
Rebounds878 (3.4 rpg)
Assists175 (0.7 apg)
Stats Edit this at Wikidata at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

A 6'10" center from Wichita State University, Bowman played five seasons (1966–1971) in the National Basketball Association and one season (1971–1972) in the American Basketball Association as a member of the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Buffalo Braves, and Pittsburgh Condors. He won an NBA Championship as a reserve for the Knicks in 1970. In his NBA/ABA career, Bowman tallied 745 total points and 878 total rebounds. He was a good rebounder, but a poor shooter who had a problem with committing personal fouls, thus earning the nickname "Nate the Snake." In his NBA/ABA career, he committed more personal fouls than he scored field goals.

Bowman was one of several players involved in a November 20, 1968, brawl between the Knicks and Atlanta Hawks at Atlanta's Alexander Memorial Coliseum. The fight eventually spilled into the stands, where fans grabbed Bowman so that Atlanta's Bill Bridges could land a punch.[1] None of the participants were fined more than $25.[2]

Bowman was a swinger and attended swing parties at actor Ted Ross's house.[3]

Bowman died of cardiac arrest on December 11, 1984, in New York City. He had finished an audition for a Miller Brewing Company television commercial when he began to complain about chest pains. Bowman arrived at Roosevelt-St. Luke's Hospital with no vital signs and died in the emergency room.[4]

Notes edit

  1. ^ Koppett, Leonard. "Hawks set back Knicks 111-106". The New York Times. 21 November 1968.
  2. ^ Mike Hudson. "Brawl Games". The Roanoke Times. 12 December 2004.
  3. ^ West, Ashley (August 9, 2020). "Joseph Stryker: Live Sex… in Show World, Avon Theaters, Melody Burlesk, and Adult Films". The Rialto Report.
  4. ^ "Nate Bowman Is Dead;Former Knicks Center". The New York Times. December 12, 1984. p. 29. Retrieved May 28, 2021.

External links edit