While many of the state's top basketball prospects were participating in last weekend's Arizona Preps Fall Showcase, Gilbert High School's sharp-shooting and athletic 6-foot-7 senior wing Chris Bowling was handling some recruiting business up north.
While on an official recruiting visit to Northern Arizona University's campus last weekend, Bowling would reel in a scholarship offer from NAU head coach Jack Murphy and his staff.
The offer from Northern Arizona gives Bowling something to seriously think about now. While Bowling has still yet to garner as much division-I interest as expected, he has also received division-I offers thus far from Idaho State, Sam Houston State and Texas Rio Grande Valley. He has also generated serious interest from Hawaii, Nevada, Southern Utah, Denver, Cal State Bakersfield, Weber State and San Diego.
After considering his options this fall, it is still unclear whether Bowling will decide this fall or wait until the late, spring signing period to make his college decision. If he does wait late, Bowling could begin generate much more recruiting interest in the spring. If he decides now, he would land himself at a nice level where he would have a chance to play early in his collegiate career.
The early signing period for division-I prospects begins November 11th and runs through November 18th. The regular or "late" signng period begins April 13th and runs through May 18th.
Bowling needed a strong performance this summer during the club season to boost his college recruitment, and he was up for the challenge. Bowling would have numerous strong performances on the summer club circuit, including a big performance in the championship game of the Pangos Sweet 16, as he would lead his club program, the Arizona Magic Elite, to the tournament championship with a gutty performance. As a result, Bowling would receive several scholarship offers for himself.
Bowling showed a sweet shooting stroke and very good athleticism this summer - playing his best basketball of his young career. While Bowling is very thin, he gets a lot done and is very skilled. Over time Bowling could be the steal of the class once he develops physically.
I will continue to keep you posted on Bowling's recruitment as it continues to develop this fall.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Bowling's length and athleticism are nice attributes that he possesses, but when you consider his nice ability to shoot the basketball and stretch the defense with excellent range on his shot, he becomes a formidable prospect. Bowling is still really thin physically, but is still very young for his age and should fill out nicely over time. As he matures physically he should develop nicely at the next level. He is a good ball handler and passer – a fundamentally sound performer. A solid rebounder, but as he gains more physical strength and size, this is an area of his game that should pick up. A solid defender that uses his length to get his hands on balls and deflect passes. A very good overall prospect that is currently underrecruited. A nice sleeper prospect.
