By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Standing 6 feet 6 inches, O’Dea High School senior Josiah Bowman has grown into more than a physical presence on the basketball court. After three years at O’Dea, Bowman has emerged as a leader whose impact extends beyond scoring and defense, shaping the culture of a program built on discipline, accountability, and brotherhood.
“Now as a senior, I am definitely one of the leaders on the team, and I feel like, on and off the court, I am an example for my peers, because I do have some of the younger guys in my classes,” said Bowman. “But on the court, I am one of those guys who gets everybody together and makes sure we are working hard.”
Bowman’s leadership has developed alongside his basketball growth, which began at Why Not You Academy, Russell Wilson’s charter school, before he transferred to O’Dea following his freshman year. Since then, he says his confidence, versatility, and understanding of the game have reached new levels.
“In terms of basketball, I feel like my confidence this year is definitely at its peak, and I feel like I have the confidence to lead the team and help the team to get us where we want to be,” said Bowman. “My scoring defense, especially on the perimeter, has tremendously improved since my freshman year, and just my ability to be more versatile and be able to score.”
That growth did not come without adversity. After transferring to O’Dea, Bowman was required to sit out an entire season because of transfer eligibility rules. It was a difficult challenge that he and his family approached with integrity.
“His perseverance is definitely something to be proud of. When he switched schools, he had to literally sit out a whole year, and we refused to not be honest. We weren’t going to use a false address just so he could play,” said Josiah’s mother, Pamela Bowman. “We are people of integrity, and he rode with that. He went to every practice, every game, and still suited up for workouts, knowing good and well that he wasn’t going to be able to play.”
“We always said we’re Bowmans first. It’s our integrity and our honesty, and to watch him persevere through that, and not be able to play, but yet and still show up with a good attitude, pushing his team forward was just amazing, and it is paying off now, and it will continue to pay off in his future,” she continued.
Joseph Bowman, Josiah’s father, praised his son not just as a standout athlete but as someone who elevates those around him.
“He did a phenomenal job in guarding the number one player in the country (Rainier Beach’s Tyran Stokes), but when there was a moment when he fell to the ground, Josiah ran over to pick him up off the court, so his sportsmanship is really at another level,” said Joseph Bowman. “His athleticism and discipline are unreal. His ability and willingness to get up at five in the morning to travel to Seattle to train in the offseason daily, or to play when he is sick, is unreal for a 17-year-old.”
At O’Dea, the concept of brotherhood is foundational. For Bowman, being part of the basketball program means more than playing the game. It means representing something bigger than himself.
“We are like a family. Everybody is comfortable with each other, and it is just like a family atmosphere,” said Bowman. “[Wearing an O’Dea jersey] I feel like I am representing the brotherhood, and it is a lot to have that title across my chest, but I know it is for something great and new.”
Pamela said her son exemplifies what it means to be part of the O’Dea community.
“O’Dea is a better place because he’s there. And that’s not being cocky, it’s just being real, because he brings so much to the table, and they are definitely helping develop him into an amazing young man,” said Pamela.
“He has really developed into a young man and into a leader. In regard to his books, faith first, and we have to give God all the glory for this. Josiah prioritizes the way we see things, which is God first, then family, then academia,” she added. “And we are proud to say that we are raising a scholar athlete.”
Joseph praised Josiah’s ability to maintain that balance between academics and athletics, noting that he is not only excelling on the court but in the classroom as well.
“He is literally in the car on the way home from basketball, doing his homework. He is taking two college classes right now and is maintaining a 3.8 GPA. In this house, you do scholar first, then athlete, and his balance is perfect,” said Joseph. “He has already been accepted to Gonzaga University on the academic side, and he is just a brilliant and wickedly smart student.”
“In addition to that, athletically, I mean, you’re talking some of the greatest professionals in professional sports, Paulo Banchero, Nick Ferguson, so some of the top athletes in the world come through O’Dea. O’Dea is an athletic place, and so it’s being able to accomplish what he’s accomplished academically and athletically, which I am so proud of,” continued Joseph. “But it just really speaks to who he is. I think O’Dea is a gauge, but not the measurement. He’s only just begun to do the work that people will do in the finality.”
Bowman and the Fighting Irish currently hold a 9 to 2 overall record, chasing their undefeated Metro League rival Rainier Beach, who sit at 10 to 0. Their most recent clash at O’Dea came down to the wire in front of a sold-out crowd, with the Irish falling just short, 78 to 76.
“Rainier Beach is the obvious answer when looking at our biggest competitor. Initially, after the loss, I was feeling disappointment, but then it turned into hope,” said Bowman. “Last time we played them, we lost by double digits, and this time we came back from 10 and only lost by 2. So, it is just about getting better by stacking those games and practices, and getting ready for the next one.”
Bowman said that high-pressure matchups like that are exactly what O’Dea’s coaching staff prepares players for. Under head coach Jason Kerr, the team emphasizes readiness, mentally and physically, for the demands of postseason play.
“I feel the whole coaching staff has prepared me for certain situations. We will have tough practices to get ready for tough games. At the end of the season, where we will have 3 or 4 games in a row at the Dome, we will also have three or four hard practices in a row,” said Bowman. “Coach Kerr knows each one of us personally, and I feel that he honestly wants what’s best for each person, for everyone to get the best result at the end of the day.”
