As I am beginning my role as the manager of the Bowdoin basketball team, I felt it was only fitting to do one unique Division 3 preview! The Polar Bears are led by coach Alex Lloyd and assistant coach Tyler Papadinis, who are attempting to lead the team back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since the 2013-2014 season. Bowdoin is returning a nice core of players, with a fair share of newcomers who can compete and give this team the depth it needs after the 2022-23 season was plagued by injuries.

Returners:

The Bears are led by two senior and one junior as captains, Jimmy McGowan, Will Logue, and Afamdi Achufusi. McGowan only played in 12 games last season due to injury, averaging a lighter 11.2 points on 34.3% from three, in comparison to his sophomore season, where he scored 18.4 points per game on 44.5% from three. He has looked healthy thus far, and should be closer to his sophomore self this year. Logue, the one junior captain, is a dynamic guard who also had his season shortened due to injury last year, only appearing in 10 games, averaging 4.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. He’ll be an important leader for the Polar Bear’s squad. The final captain, Afamdi Achufusi, is a wing slasher, who makes his impact felt on both ends. Last season, he averaged 7.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game! His ability to be physical on both ends of the floor makes him a vital part of this team.

Joining the seniors are the 6 man junior class, who will need to step into a larger role this season. This group includes the two big men, Kevin Reeves and Nolan Bessire. Reeves was the most impactful of this group last year, as an interior force averaging 9.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. Last season was highlighted for him by back to back double-doubles, with 18 points and 14 rebounds against UMass Boston, and 19 points and 11 rebounds against Thomas (ME). Reeves counterpart, Bessire, averaged 3.5 points and 5.3 rebounds last year, highlighted by and 11 and 5 game against Chicago. Bessire is a crafty finisher who tracks for a larger role this coming year. Joining the bigs are guards Alex Halpern, Jaden Hill, Will Onubogu, and forward Andrew Szwez. Halpern is a dynamic guard who scored 6.5 points per game last season on 31.7% shooting from behind the arc. With the loss of senior guard Michael Simonds, he should take over a larger role for Bowdoin this season. Hill is an undersized but shifty guard who averaged 1.8 points per game last year, but with more opportunities, should surprise some people in the 24-25 season. Onubogo also didn’t play much in the 23-24 season, but is an athletic guard who can make an impact on both ends of the floor. The lone forward from this class, Szwez, is a dynamic player at 6-6, with the ability to stretch the floor and be physical on the glass. He averaged 3.9 points and 3.5 rebounds last season, and with an improving three point shot, could be in for a breakout year.

The final returners are the 4 man sophomore class, with wings Natrel Allen, Ben Chilson, and Matteo Cervone, along with big Justas Bardauskas. Allen is a talented shot creator who averaged 10.9 points per game last season in the 8 games he played before injuries and sickness held him out. His status is still unsure for this year, as he is working hard to recover. Chilson is an elite shooter, averaging 8.4 points per game on 43.6% from three. He is also recovering from a lingering injury, but tracks to be a dangerous weapon for the Polar Bears. Cervone and Bardauskas didn’t play as much last season, averaging 3.1 and 2.5 points respectively, but the two lefty’s will be important off the bench this year. Cervone is a physical finisher who can stretch the floor, and Bardauskas is a great athlete at 6’8 who might be putting some NESCAC defenders on a poster.

Transfers:

This Bowdoin team has only one transfer, wing from Fairfield Chris Ray. Ray, a sophomore, is a great shooter as well as a confident shot creator, who may be able to add another dimension for the Bears.

Recruits:

Also joining the Polar Bear’s are 5 incoming freshman. 4 guards, Adam Bello, Ray Cuevas, Liam McBride, and Jackson Bleecker, and big man Chris Simonds (younger brother of last years leading scorer Michael). Bello is a shifty point guard with a nice touch, who may not get many minutes this year due to the large number of upperclassmen point guards. Cuevas is an elite scorer and physical combo guard who has an opportunity to make an immediate impact for the Bears. Joining those two are McBride, a sniper from distance who moves well and has great knowledge of the game, and Bleecker, who is a tough finisher and physical player. Bleecker sadly hurt his hand, and may miss much if not all of the 24-25 season, but should be a large part of the program during his time at Bowdoin. Last but not least, Chris Simonds is a stretch big who can knock down NBA threes and may need to step up depending on foul trouble with the bigs, which was an issue at times last season. This is a really strong class, and Bowdoin is set up for a great future, regardless of what happens this season.

Season Outlook

On the whole, this should definitely be a bounce back year for Bowdoin, after the injury riddled season last year. Based on the togetherness and talent I have seen thus far, this team should be able to compete in the top half of the NESCAC, and I truly believe that you can’t count out the Polar Bear squad on a postseason birth for the first time in 10 years. If they stay healthy, and many of the younger players continue on their paths of development, this is a team to watch. Don’t let Coach Lloyd get going!!

In the coming days the daily posts will begin, and although they won’t be full form such as these, I hope they are still engaging and interesting for everyone!

(P.C. Bowdoin Athletics)