John Bowler is a 28 year old 206cm center from Chicago that has announced his retirement. He played at Eastern Michigan from 2002-2006. His best season was his senior year where he played 28 games averaging 20.1ppg, 10.8rpg, 2.5apg, FG: 54.9%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 72.3%. He came to The Telekom Baskets Bonn in 2006 where he played until 2010. His best season was 2007-2008 where he played 39 games averaging 12.1ppg, 5.3rpg, 1.1apg, 2FGP: 56.0%, 3PT: 41.9%, FT: 70.5%. He reached two BBL finals and one BBL Cup final. He played for  EnBW Ludwigsburg (Germany-1.Bundesliga) from 2010-2012 playing 18 games: 11.1ppg, 4.7rpg, 1.2apg, FGP: 51.1%, 3PT-3(50.0%), FT: 79.2%. He was voted most liekable player in the Beko BBL in 2008. He spoke to German Hoops about his basketball career.

John you have retired from professional basketball. How tough was it making this decision?

It was extremely tough and the hardest decision I have ever had to make in my entire life.  I love basketball and I will be involved in basketball for the rest of my life but I had to make the decision that was best for my family and I.

You only played six professional seasons. In mind you must feel too young to be retiring or not?

I prefer to look at the positives and not on things I haven’t had.  Yes I would have loved to have played more but I had a great career.  I was given a great opportunity to play professional basketball and I played 6 phenomenal seasons at some of the highest levels of basketball with the best teammates, coaches, and fans.  Some don’t even get the chance to play. So I feel that I am blessed and had an awesome career.

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