Nebraska, Michigan Make Top-5 List For Five-Star Recruit Bryce McGowens

Former Florida State verbal commit Bryce McGowens has announced his top-five and two Big Ten schools made his list. The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Michigan Wolverines are in the mix, along with Florida State, Georgia, and LSU.

The 6-foot-5 shooting guard hails from Greenville, South Carolina. He is rated the No. 25 overall prospect in the nation per 247Sports composite rankings, and is a consensus five-star. He also ranks No. 3 in his position nationally per the composite.

McGowens committed to Florida State in February, and was one of three top-25 prospects in the Seminoles 2021 class. That group vaulted the class to No. 1 in the nation, and included fellow Michigan targets Jalen Warley and Matthew Cleveland. McGowens decommitted from Florida State on Oct. 8 in order to fully explore his options. However, at the time he cited that the Seminoles remained a top consideration.

McGowens told 247 the following:

On Michigan: “Their coaching staff has a lot of NBA connections and they have a tradition of excellence both on and off the floor. Coach (Juwan) Howard has been awesome to talk to and his experience as an NBA player and coach is impressive. I love the way they play also.”
On Nebraska: “I have a great relationship with their staff. My brother plays there and would love to play alongside him one day. They play fast and with pace and space that will give me freedom to make plays on and off the ball. Coach Hoiberg has 19 years of NBA experience and should be able to help me accomplish my goals.”

Georgia and Nebraska are currently predicated to be the favorites at this point since McGowens re-opened his commitment. The Huskers currently have his older brother Trey McGowens and close friend Elijah Wood on their own roster. He had a virtual visit last week with Nebraska.

If younger brother Bryce ends up committing to Nebraska, it would be the first ever composite five star prospect for UNL out of high school. He would also be the highest composite rated prospect ever. Jerry Meyer, 247Sports Director of Basketball Recruiting, has put in his crystal ball prediction for Nebraska, and rates it as a “6” in confidence.

Georgia and the Bulldogs head coach Tom Crean heavily recruited him prior to his FSU commitment, and has since been engaging with him as well.

Michigan has at least one scholarship left on the roster for the 2021 recruiting class, and ranks No. 7 in the country. The Wolverines are No. 2 in the Big Ten, behind in-state rival Michigan State’s powerhouse nationally ranked No. 6 class. Nebraska’s 2021 class currently ranked No. 11 in the conference and No. 67 in the country. Prior to releasing his top-five list Monday, McGowens had a Zoom meeting with Michigan’s staff on Sunday. He has not given a timeline for his decision at this time.