Julian Bowie Returned to Boise State Basketball
The sophomore guard is back on the court after taking a leave of absence to mourn his father.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Basketball
Boise State sophomore Julian Bowie has returned to the basketball team following a leave of absence. He stepped away from the court to process his grief after the death of his father, Lambert Bowie, in October 2025.
Why it matters
Bowie chose to return to the sport to honor his father's life and personal motto. The move follows a difficult period where the athlete struggled with physical exhaustion and the emotional weight of his loss.
Bowie played in 35 games during his freshman 2024-25 season, averaging 3.9 points per game. His career highlights include a 16-point performance against Wyoming and 10 points against George Washington.
The players
Julian Bowie
He is a sophomore basketball player at Boise State University who previously attended high school in Pocatello.
Lambert Bowie
He was the father of Julian Bowie who passed away due to heart complications.
The details
After his father died at age 53, Bowie played in an exhibition against Idaho before taking an extended break with the support of the program. To honor his late father, he plans to write the phrase "Be aggressive" on his shoes.
Timeline
January 2025: Bowie scored 16 points against Wyoming.
May 2025: Lambert Bowie suffered a second heart attack.
October 2025: Lambert Bowie died at age 53.
October 2026: Bowie returns for an exhibition game against Idaho.
Season Trajectory
Bowie's return provides a boost to the Boise State roster after his absence during the latter half of the previous season. His reintegration could impact the team's competitive balance as they move into the 2026-27 schedule.
Fans will see Bowie take the court during the upcoming exhibition game at Idaho Central Arena. His return likely stabilizes the backcourt rotation as the team prepares for the regular season.
The takeaway
Grief can significantly impact a collegiate athlete's ability to maintain physical and mental readiness for competition. Bowie's journey highlights the importance of institutional support in allowing student-athletes the time required to heal.
Further reading
For more on the team's outlook, visit the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Idaho Press.
