Sept. 23, 2011
by Tony Randazzo, Media Relations Student Assistant
Bree Fowler touched a basketball for the first time at the age of four, and hasn't looked back since.
"I started playing basketball when I was four. My dad just put a basketball in my hand and said, `Do your thing,' and I've been playing ever since."
The 5'9" guard lives in Kansas City, Missouri, and comes from a family of nine. She is oldest of seven children in her family (two brothers and four sisters). Growing up in an extremely busy household, Fowler finds peace in really just relaxing when she isn't playing basketball.
"I like to play video games, and just hang out or go to the movies. I'm a really laid back person so I'm always okay with lounging around and having a good time with my friends."
Fowler attended Staley High School in Kansas City, where she played basketball and golf, and also ran for the track team. She didn't play basketball for the Lady Falcons of Staley High until her junior year - the first year the school had a women's basketball program. In her junior year, she averaged 13.0 points per game along with 5.0 rebounds per game earning her many accolades including the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Class 4A All-State second team award. Her most impressive year though, was just last year, where she, along with good friend Brynn Williamson, led the Lady Falcons to within three wins of the Class 4A State title, losing in the Quarterfinals of the tournament.
"There was a lot of pressure (in only our second year of basketball at Staley) because Brynn and I took charge and put the team on our back. We worked to succeed and make a statement. We played on the same select team and we tried to incorporate everyone else on the team as a way to come together and win basketball games."
Williamson is also playing Division I basketball for the Iowa State Cyclones, a fellow Big 12 Conference school. The Tigers and Cyclones face off twice in the upcoming campaign, the first coming on February 8, 2012. Fowler is extremely excited to face off against her long-time friend.
"We are really good friends. I've been friends with her since the eighth grade and we played on the same select team until we were 18, so I'm definitely excited to play against her."
Fowler has been a leader and the go-to person on every basketball team she has been a part of, and she's ready to advance in her career and leap into Division I competition. She's just taking it all in, listening to the older members of this Tiger squad as they teach her speed and system of basketball at this level.
"It's been a pretty big change but I've known since I started playing select basketball that there would be a time where I wouldn't know a lot of things and I'd have to become a student of the game. I'm definitely ready to step up and be a leader (of this team) someday."
It has been a big change for Fowler in her life, but she is going through it with two other freshman Tigers in Kyley Simmons and Morgan Eye. They've been doing drills together and have had many workouts where they just try and get used to the speed and the system of Missouri basketball.
"I wouldn't have it any other way. I love Morgan and Kylee to death and I can't wait to grow up with them in college while playing ball together."
Head Coach Robin Pingeton announced the signing of Fowler back on Nov. 8, 2010, saying that Mizzou was striving to be an "up-tempo team," and that Fowler would definitely bring that speed to the squad. Fowler has reinforced that statement.
"I definitely want to bring tempo to the team and a strong attack to the rim. That's what I feel like I'm best at so hopefully I can get quick enough and strong enough to do that at the Division I level."
On the court, she will don a number three on her back and make things happen on the hardwood. She hopes to make things happen off the court too, as she studies Nutrition and Diet at the University of Missouri.
"My major is Nutrition and Diet and I plan to go through the accelerated nursing program to become a labor and delivery nurse someday."