If you followed the NFL during the 2010s, then you know how much of a force linebacker NaVorro Bowman was on the football field. Now, a different NaVorro Bowman might be headed to join the UCLA Bruins, but not on the football field.
NaVorro Bowman Jr. had UCLA as one of the finalists to land his commitment, with the son of the 4x All-Pro being a four-star basketball recruit. Bowman attends Notre Dame in Sherman Oaks, giving UCLA some home field advantage to land the 6’3” guard.
His father, NaVorro Bowman, spent the past two seasons as the linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Chargers, but stepped down this past offseason to accompany his son on his recruiting journey. 247 Sports has Bowman Jr. as the top player from California and as the No. 22 player in the 2027 class.
Bowman Jr. spoke with On3 Sports about his recruiting process, with Texas, Illinois, Arizona and Stanford all also being in the mix to land Bowman. Mick Cronin and the Bruins offered Bowman in June of last year, with the USC Trojans offering him a smidge later in August.
UCLA will take all the young talent they can get. The Bruins have been bounced in the second round of the NCAA Tournament for two years in a row, with UCLA adding forward Joe Philon and center Javonte Floyd for their 2026 commitments. It’s the No. 37 class in the country but with an underwhelming transfer portal haul, the expectations aren’t through the roof for next year’s Bruin squad.
The Bruins have yet to land a 2027 commitment, with Bowman potentially being the first if UCLA can convince the son of a pro athlete to stay in the Los Angeles area with the Bruins. Bowman put up 22.5 points per game last year for Notre Dame, displaying an impressive scoring ability for a 22-8 Knights team.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Could UCLA basketball land the son of an All-Pro NFL linebacker?
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
