Report: Bryce McGowens agrees to two-way deal with Portland Trail Blazers
Former Nebraska star Bryce McGowens is getting another shot in the NBA. McGowens has signed a two-way deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, according to Adrian Wojnarowski.
“Free agent G Bryce McGowens has agreed on a two-way deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, Kyle McAlarney and Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tell ESPN,” Woj posted on Twitter. “McGowens, 21, spent his first two seasons with Charlotte.”
Bryce McGowens appeared in 59 games for the Charlotte Hornets last season, making 14 starts. He averaged 5.1 points and 1.7 rebounds per game in 2023-24.
As a rookie in 2022-23, McGowens appeared in 46 games, averaging 5.3 points per game. He was selected in the second round of the 2022 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, before being traded to Charlotte.
The Greenville, South Carolina native was waived by the Hornets this offseason, before landing with the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland is coming off of a 61-21 year this past season. Perhaps Bryce McGowens can be a solid young contributor for Portland in the future.
Bryce McGowens spent only one season at Nebraska prior to turning pro. As a freshman in 2021-22, he averaged 16.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. McGowens was named Third-Team All-Big Ten that season, as well as Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
His 16.8 points per game average was the third-best in the nation among true freshmen.
Prior to signing with Nebraska, McGowens was ranked as the No. 26 overall player in the country, per the On3 Industry rankings.
Portland Trail Blazers added Donovan Clingan in 2024 NBA Draft
In addition to signing Bryce McGowens to a two-year deal, the Portland Trail Blazers also recently drafted former UConn star Donovan Clingan.
The Trail Blazers selected Clingan with the No. 7 overall pick of the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft.
Clingan just completed his sophomore season at UConn. In his pair of seasons as a Husky, he appeared in 74 games, starting 33 of his 35 outings in his second season.
During that collegiate career at Connecticut, Clingan averaged 9.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks while shooting 64.5% from the field. As a starter in 2023-24, he improved those statistics to 13 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks on 63.9% shooting overall.
Most notably, Clingan played a major role in consecutive national titles for UConn. The Huskies went 68-11 overall in his two years and won four total championships with a regular-season crown in their conference, a Big East Tournament, and the NCAA Tournament in both 2023 and 2024. He was the Most Outstanding Player from the East Region before making the Final Four All-Tournament Team in this year’s bracket.