The Southern Hoiho American forward spent the past two seasons playing in Australia and immediately fell in love with this side of the world.
"It’s absolutely stunning.
"The people are amazing and I’ve always heard really great things about New Zealand and I’ve always wanted to come here."
Bowman has quickly settled into life in Dunedin and was enjoying her first few games with her new team-mates.
"Oh, I’m loving it. It’s a great group of girls. Everybody has great personalities and they’re just great human beings."
The 24-year-old grew up in Zillah, Washington and spent five years playing college basketball at division two school Central Washington University.
At Central Washington, Bowman won the Great Northwest Athletic Conference in her junior year, was named an All American for the 2022 and 2023 season and was named division two national player of the year in 2023.
"Those are pretty big accomplishments that I’m very proud of."
Straight out of college, Bowman signed with the Rockhampton Cyclones, in Queensland, where they finished runners-up in the NBL1 North championship last season.
After a short stint back in the United States, where she finished her masters in nutrition and helped her former college team, Bowman returned to Rockhampton earlier this year and won the championship.
"It was amazing. It was a great feeling."
She then jumped across the Ditch to join the Southern Hoiho season and was impressed by the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa league.
It had been a step up from the NBL 1 league and was more physical, which Bowman enjoyed as she looked to expand her game.
"It’s a good competition. It’s going to be a good challenge for me, just to have to grow as a player and get that challenge, especially in the post.
"I’m really excited about what this league brings."
The Southern Hoiho lost their opening two games — 73-68 to the Tokomanawa Queens and 87-78 to the Northern Kahu — and Bowman was excited to finally play at home at the Edgar Centre against the Mainland Pouakai tonight.
She looked forward to seeing how the Southern Hoiho respond after last week, after a great training week, and hoped they could attract a good crowd.
"I think that fan interaction is huge.
"It’s huge to give back because, you know, that’s what I got as a kid and I know I valued it.
"It’s important we give back to them, and give them that time of the day, and show them that we really do care . . . because they look up to you.
"I think that’s really important for growth, not only on the basketball court, but as people as well."
Rapid League starts at 6.30pm followed by the Tauihi game at 7.30pm.
