2021 recruit Bryce McGowens decommits from FSU basketball

Bryce McGowens has decommitted from Florida State basketball.

ORIGINAL STORY

Bryce McGowens, a 6’5 shooting guard from Piedmont, South Carolina and the younger brother of Pittsburgh Panthers’ starter Trey McGowens, pledged a verbal commitment to Florida State just hours after the Seminoles thrashed the Miami Hurricanes for their 20th win of the season.

McGowens, a composite four-star who checks in as the number 48th ranked player in the class of 2021, previously visited Tallahassee on the weekend of January 24th and was on hand for FSU’s thrilling 85-84 victory over the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. He held offers from most programs in the southeast, including UF, UGA, Clemson, Georgia Tech, and LSU, as well as more national names like Maryland, Xavier, TCU, and Pittsburgh.

Like most FSU recruits, McGowens has length for days and he’s able to use that length to shoot over the top of smaller defenders. Though he isn’t an elite athlete in the Malik Beasley mold, he displays a good basketball IQ and is able to both finish above the rim in transition and get to his spots where he’s comfortable with his jumper. Like his brother Trey, he’s more a combo-guard, or “lead-guard,” so while he is listed as a shooting guard he is showing developing skills as a passer.

As he continues to develop McGowens will want to add weight to his naturally thin frame (he’s currently listed around 165-175 pounds), as well as continuing to tighten up his dribble and extend his range—though it’s worth noting that he can already shoot in rhythm out to 22-23 feet.

Given that he’s a 2021, it will be interesting to see if McGowens can follow in the footsteps of several recent FSU hoops recruits and make a move up the rankings as he continues to develop. Here’s a look at some highlights from a recent game:

And here’s his 2020 mid-season highlight reel.