As a high school senior, Owens averaged 34 points per game, and helped lead Carlisle High School (Pennsylvania) to four consecutive state titles. He was considered to be the second best prep player of 1988, behind Alonzo Mourning. Owens and Mourning were co-MVP's in the McDonald's' Game. Throughout his career, Owens drew some comparisons to Magic Johnson due to his great versatility, ball handling and passing skills for his height.[1]
In his three seasons with Syracuse he averaged 17.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game out of 103 games.[2] In his junior season he was named Big East Player of the Year.[3]
Owens averaged over 15 points and nearly eight rebounds during his tenure with the Warriors, including an NBA All-Rookie First Team selection in 1992. The Warriors improved from 44 to 55 games won in his first season. However, he never provided his expected impact and played only three seasons with Golden State.[5][6] Owens spent ten seasons with the Warriors, Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, Seattle SuperSonics, Philadelphia 76ers, and Detroit Pistons before a string of injuries finally took its toll; his career ended in 2001.[9]
Coaching
From 2010 to 2018, Owens served as an assistant coach for the men's basketball team at Division III Rutgers-Camden.[10] In practice, players asked Owens how they should prepare themselves for professional careers. "I don't sugar-coat it because then you're playing with young kids' minds," Owens said. "For them to have their dreams crushed can do serious damage to them when they become real adults."[11]
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