Brian Bowen Not Allowed to Play at Louisville, Can Transfer

Brian ''Tugs'' Bowen II (20) handles the ball during the Mcdonald's All American game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on March 29, 2017. (Cal Sport Media via AP Images)

By Jen Krausz | Wednesday, 22 November 2017 02:47 PM EST

Louisville freshman Brian Bowen will not be allowed to play basketball at the school again, but he may transfer to another school to play.

Bowen was cleared of any wrongdoing after an FBI investigation into corruption and bribery in Louisville’s basketball program revealed an assistant coach at the school paid Bowen’s father $100,000 from Adidas to sign with the school. Head coach Rick Pitino was fired last month as a result of the investigation, along with assistant coach Jordan Fair, associate head coach Kenny Johnson, and athletic director Tom Jurich.

While Bowen won't be able to play basketball at Louisville, he will not lose his academic scholarship if he stays at the school, ESPN reported.

“Brian has been a responsible young man for the institution since he enrolled,” Louisville interim athletic director Vince Tyra said, ESPN reported. “He has endeared himself to his teammates and the men’s basketball staff with a positive attitude during a very difficult period.”

Jason Setchen, Bowen’s lawyer, said his client still wants to play college basketball.

“Brian’s done nothing wrong,” Setchen said, ESPN reported. “I don’t believe he was treated fairly by Louisville, but my conversations with the NCAA give me every reason to believe he will be afforded due process and ultimately given his dream to play college basketball.”

Bowen was ranked 14 in the ESPN 100 for 2017. He could choose to look at professional opportunities to play basketball if he doesn’t decide to transfer, ESPN noted.

Bowen has been suspended from play since late September from the Louisville team as the FBI investigation took place.

Twitter sympathized with Bowen and thought Louisville would be hurt by not playing him.

If Brian Bowen didn't know about any of this.... I feel bad for him. But if he has a gripe he should take it to his father, not UofL.
— Mark Blankenbaker (@UofLSheriff50) November 22, 2017

That's bs. If the feds cleared him, he should be able to play for us. Especially if he'll be able to play for another team. This all feels like a scheme to sabotage Louisville athletics !
— EL ₣UEG㊉, NEVELLE (@3E_Primo) November 22, 2017

Another student athlete penalized for actions of the “adults” around him. When is the NCAA going to start putting the interest of the student athlete first and foremost? I get that UL can’t risk the exposure nor should the school be allowed to benefit from this young mans skills.
— Michael Smith (@smith_mbs) November 22, 2017