Skyler Bowlin (190-G-1989, college: MSSU) is a 32 year old 190cm guard that finished his 11th season as a professional and his sixth in Germany and first with the Telekom Baskets Bonn averaging 9,2ppg, 1,9rpg, and 3,5apg. Last season he split time with GS Iraklis Thessaloniki (Greece-A1) averaging 8.0ppg, 2.4rpg, 4.4apg, 1.3spg, 2FGP: 47.1%, 3FGP: 30.8%, FT: 70.6% and also played with Enea Zastal BC Zielona Gora (Poland-EBl) averaging 9.7ppg, 2.7rpg, 4.1apg, 1.2spg, FGP: 42.9%, 3PT: 36.8%, FT: 78.3%.. In the 2019-2020 season he played with s.Oliver Wurzburg averaging 11.2ppg, 2.1rpg, 3.8apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 49.1%, 3PT: 44.8%, FT: 87.2%. and the season before averaged 9.3ppg, 2.0rpg, 4.0apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 46.9%, 3PT: 38.3%, FT: 70.7% in the BBL and in the Fiba Europe Cup averaged 8.4ppg, 1.9rpg, 5.6apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 51.5%, 3PT: 37.2%, FT: 72.2%. The ex Missouri So (NCAA2) began his professional basketball career with BG Topstar Leitershofen/Stadtbergen (Germany-ProA) and then played three seasons in Denmark with Horsens IC and a year in Sweden with the Sodertalje Kings (Sweden-Basketligan). He played two seasons in Germany with the Giessen 46ers and with Science City Jena (Germany-BBL) playing 32 games averaging 11.7ppg, 2.9rpg, 5.1apg, Steals-5 (1.6spg), FGP: 38.1%, 3PT: 40.9%, FT: 80.9%. He spoke to eurobasket after the semi-finals loss to FC Bayern Munich.
Thanks Skyler for talking to eurobasket.com. The amazing season of the Telekom Baskets Bonn has ended after a 5 game series fight with FC Bayern Munich. Was this the toughest loss in your professional career?
Man, that loss hurt. It’s tough to rank what losses were the worst but that one has to be close to the top if I could.
The Telekom Baskets Bonn were down 0-2 and went to Munich with the backs to the wall and won 2 games. Do you feel like maybe the team reached their peak in these two games?
I think we just found a way to win. We had different peaks throughout the season but in the playoffs you just have to find a way to win and we didn’t want this season to end so that’s what we did.
How good did it feel winning 2 games in a row in Munich. I can’t remember a team ever doing that.
That was pretty wild. I’m not sure anyone actually expected it, but I can promise that no one was scared. We just fought and in the end it worked out.
FC Bayern Munich had a good start in game 5, but as usual the Telekom Baskets Bonn never gave up and fought hard. How instrumental was the 27 point third quarter by Munich for helping carry them to the win?
That was the game changer. Clearly. They made a big run and we just couldn’t answer.
When you look at the total stats, Bonn led some categories with an incredible 5 turnovers, shot well from outside and hit 9 more free throws. Was the main damage done in the paint where Munich shot 70% and had 5 more offensive rebounds?
Yeah I mean when you shoot that percentage that’s tough to beat. We didn’t play a bad game at all, but Bayern was just better that night.
I feel like Bonn could of won this series. Do you feel like game 2 was the turning point. Had you won that game, things could have gone a lot differently.
Game 2 was tough! Of course we would like to have that one back!
You played one season with the Telekom Baskets Bonn. When you look back at this magical season how would summarize the character of this team?
We just wanted to win, man. That’s it. There wasn’t anything extra or on the side that guys had going on. We worked, we got along great, and we had fun. I love these guys. It couldn’t have been a better experience.
We have spoken about your teammates in a previous interview but please describe how valuable veteran Karsten Tadda was for the team. As always he showed his sniper qualities and defensive play in the final. Please describe how he is truly more than just a 3 and D player?
KT was irreplaceable. People maybe just look at stats and don’t think that, but his defense and leadership are amazing. It was a lot of fun being with him this year after battling all these years before. Overall, he’s just a good person that everyone wants to have on their team.
Even if you have played with many great players, I can bet when all is said done a guy like Karsten Tadda could be in your top 5 teammates of all-time.
10000% he is on the list.
You played for the first time with undersized and for years off the radar player Parker Jackson-Cartwright. Have you ever been teammates with a guy that had a bigger heart than him?
P is a warrior. His rise in Europe is wild. I couldn’t be more proud of what he overcame and what he accomplished this year. That’s my guy for life.
Is the next step getting an opportunity in the Euroleague a realistic thing or will his size scare off teams?
Wherever he gets the chance he will take full advantage!
Parker Jackson-Cartwright played out his heart again and had real MVP numbers with 25/10/4 stats. What words did you find for your teammate after the loss?
Just told him I was proud of him. He carried so much on his shoulders and always delivered. He’s a great player with a bright future in front of him.
You had another solid season averaging 9.2ppg, 1.9rpg, 3.5apg, FGP: 36.2%, 3PT: 37.8%, FT: 76.3%. How would you summarize your season with the Telekom Baskets Bonn?
Man, I just wanted to do what needed to be done. It was a different role than I normally play, but I didn’t care. I just played as hard as I could and tried to be a leader and do what was necessary for us to win.
It is no secret that the Bonn guard rotation was very strong. How much did you profit from Jackson-Cartwright’s dangerous game?
He busted my ass every day in practice so I hope my defense got better. Haha
You played the least minutes in your career in a national country league averaging 21 minutes per game.
Was it tough playing less minutes at the end where the season was on the line? I think if you had played more perhaps you could have made the difference in certain moments.
That’s just how coach wanted to go about the Munich series. We played much bigger lineups and I was the odd man out. It wasn’t an easy pill to swallow but it’s not all about me and I trusted the coaching staffs game plan.
What kind of an experience was it playing for rising coach Tuomas Iisalo? How much did your game profit under his guidance?
He will be a euroleague coach SOON. His attention to detail and his work ethic is elite. I absolutely loved playing for him. It wasn’t easy, but most good things never are.
You had many memorable personal games, but was your 27 points and 8 three’s against ratiopharm Ulm your most memorable game showing you were the best on the court filled with many ex NBA guys.
Yeah that game was a lot of fun! That was probably my best game of the year for sure.
On what area’s of your game will you be working on most in the lab this summer so you can continue to climb the basketball ladder?
I’m just gonna keep working on everything. I just wanna be able to continue to play at a high level as long as possible so I’ll keep working just like I have every summer the last 11 years.
Who was the toughest player that you faced this season on the court?
That’s a tough question! Hard to just pick 1.
You have played in countries like Sweden and Denmark and I know you have a lot of love for Bakken as you will return back, but were the Telekom Baskets Bonn the best fans that you have ever played for? Talk a little about your fondest memories with them?
The atmosphere in the Telekom dome was CRAZY. That was for sure the loudest gym I’ve played in Germany! My best memory is after every home win singing ‘Sweet Caroline’ going around the gym with them! Great memory!
What are your plans for the summer. What place would you like to visit where you have never been before?
Man, I’m in Denmark currently with my wife and son. We will stay here for a bit then head to the states. No crazy vacation this summer for us. We will just enjoy family as much as possible.
What will a NBA title mean for the legacy of a Steph Curry and a Jayson Tatum?
A title would be big for both, but I hope Steph gets it!
Thanks Skyler for the chat.
Tags : SKYLER BOWLIN, BAKKEN BEARS AARHUS, GERMAN BASKETBALL
