ROWSOM ENJOYING COACHING SIDE OF HOOPS
WILMINGTON, N.C. – After finding his niche as a player for a number of years, former UNC Wilmington basketball great Brian Rowsom is trying the coaching side of things these days, hoping to find the same level of success that produced a solid professional career as a player.
The 6-10 Rowsom, UNCW's all-time leading rebounder and still the holder of 10 school records, is the head coach of the Brevard Blue Ducks, an independent pro team, in Melbourne, Fla. The Ducks, formerly a United States Basketball League (USBL) club, own a 5-2 record at the halfway point of their 15-game schedule.
“My goal is to help our players learn a little bit more than they knew before I took over as coach,” said Rowsom, a Columbia, N.C., native who played for the Seahawks from 1984-87. “I want each player to improve to the point where they can move from our team to another professional team, perhaps in the European professional leagues.”
The 40-year-old Rowsom was a member of the first Charlotte Hornets team and also saw time with the Indiana Pacers before embarking overseas. He then played in France, Israel and Japan until the coaching itch caught hold.
Rowsom was named the American Basketball Association's 2005 Coach-of-the-Year and began this season by focusing on player development. He wants to give his younger players a chance to showcase their basketball skills for the next level of play.
During his career at UNCW, Rowsom was a three-time All-Conference performer in the Colonial Athletic Association, picking up First-Team honors in 1986 and 1987. He made the All-Defensive Team in 1987 and was a two-time All-CAA Tournament selection in 1986 and 1987. The talented player was also named the Most Valuable Player of the Indiana Classic on Dec. 13, 1987.
“UNCW gave me my start in basketball,” recalled Rowsom. “Coach Mel Gibson (UNCW Head Coach, 1973-86) is my mentor and I am trying to pass on the things he taught to my players. So far, it's working out well.”
Rowsom held the school's scoring record with 1,973 points until Brett Blizzard (2000-03) eclipsed him three years ago with 2,144 markers. Rowsom still holds the school marks for field goals in a game (16), field goals in a season (254), field goals in a career (774), field goals attempted in a game (32), field goals attempted in a season (492), free throws made in a career (424), free throws attempted in a career (570), rebounds in a season (345), rebounds in a career (1,012) and rebound average in a season (11.5).
Rowsom's coaching resume includes stints with the 2004 Guelph Gladiators of the Ontario Pro Basketball Association, where his undefeated team won the league championship, the Charlotte Bobcats mini-camp (for a team that included then-rookie Emeka Okafor), the Carolina Thunder of the ABA, where he was named the “2005 ABA Coach of the Year,” and the Charlotte Krunk, also of the ABA.
