Bruuuuuuuce: Bowen highlights five-person S.A. Sports Hall of Fame class

Spurs defensive stopper Bruce Bowen was announced Monday among a group of five notable athletes and coaches set for induction into the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame early next year.

Bowen was a member of three Spurs NBA title teams, where he was known for his defensive prowess and his 3-point shooting ability. Before his retirement in 2009, Bowen was a five-time selection for the NBA All-Defensive first team.

Most notably, his career is a testament to perseverance after he went undrafted after his college career at Cal State Fullerton and bounced around France. His career turned around when he joined the Spurs in 2001 and became one of the top defenders in modern NBA history.

Bowen will be joined by former East Central High School basketball coach Stan Bonewitz Sr., NFL Pro Bowler David Hill, St. Mary’s pitcher Leticia Morales-Bissaro and notable U.S. equestrian leader John Russell.

All of them will be honored during ceremonies Feb. 10 at the Alamodome.

Among those Spurs figures who have already been inducted into the Hall of Fame include Bob Coleman (former member of Spurs ownership group), George Gervin, Angelo Drossos, James Silas, Red McCombs, Johnny Moore, David Robinson, Bob Bass, Sean Elliott and Avery Johnson.

Interestingly, the selection committee did not choose to induct the Spurs 1999 championship team, which had been nominated earlier in the selection process this year.

And even with all of the worthy Spurs who have already been inducted, several other strong candidates with a Spurs lineage also merit serious consideration.

Original “Voice of the Spurs” Terry Stembridge is an absolute no-brainer, as are Mike Mitchell, Larry Kenon and Doug Moe.  And anybody who grew up watching games at HemisFair Arena likely would include Pat Tallman, the first in-arena announcer for the team.

And after their retirements, Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Gregg Popovich also are locks to be recognized.

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