Former Hawkeye Dasonte Bowen Commits to Penn State
Former Iowa Hawkeye Dasonte Bowen is heading back to the Big Ten. The veteran point guard committed to Penn State on Wednesday, giving head coach Mike Rhoades a much needed backup ball handler and another experienced roster piece for the 2026-27 season. Bowen started his career in Iowa City before transferring to St. Bonaventure, where he developed into a full time starter.
Why did Dasonte Bowen leave the Hawkeyes?
Bowen played two seasons with the Iowa Hawkeyes, appearing in 51 games as a rotational player. He averaged 11.3 minutes per game in a reserve role behind Iowa's established backcourt. Seeking a larger opportunity, Bowen transferred to St. Bonaventure ahead of his junior year. The move paid off. Bowen started all 33 games for the Bonnies last season, averaging 10.9 points, 4.8 assists, and 3 rebounds per game. His 4.8 assists marked a career high, proving he can run an offense when given the reins.
His junior season in 2024 was cut short after just 10 games due to injury, allowing him to retain a year of eligibility. He will suit up for Penn State as a fifth year senior.
What does Bowen bring to Penn State's backcourt?
Depth was a glaring issue for the Nittany Lions this offseason. Rhoades openly admitted his team lacked the roster depth he preferred, saying he would keep recruiting until told otherwise. Bowen is Penn State's 11th addition of an offseason defined by heavy roster turnover, and he slots in directly as the backup point guard behind Central Connecticut State transfer Jay Rodgers.
Without Bowen, Rodgers likely would have shouldered a heavy minutes burden. International commit François Wibaut was previously expected to fill the backup point guard role, but Bowen's arrival allows Wibaut to shift to a backup small forward position. The trickle down effect means graduate student Thomas Allard and freshman Andy Gemao could see fewer minutes at shooting guard, giving Rhoades more lineup flexibility.
Bowen is the only Penn State transfer this cycle with prior Big Ten experience, a fact that carries real weight. He knows the arenas, the pace of play, and the physicality of the conference. Rhoades now has six players on the roster with at least three seasons of collegiate experience.
Rhoades prioritizes veteran experience over youth
Rhoades made his roster building philosophy crystal clear after Penn State's loss to Northwestern in the Big Ten Tournament.
You've got to be old. You've got to be old, because everybody else is. The best teams in our league and the best teams in the country are old and experienced. We've got to address some of that.
Last year's Penn State squad was one of the youngest in the country. The results reflected that. Bowen fits the new mold perfectly. He has played 43 games across two seasons with St. Bonaventure and 51 games with Iowa, giving him nearly 100 games of college basketball experience.
What's next for Penn State's roster?
Bowen has not officially signed yet, meaning he is not currently participating in summer practices, which began Monday. Once the paperwork is finalized, he can join the team for workouts ahead of his final season of eligibility.
Penn State has one roster spot remaining once Bowen, Wibaut, and international commit Roko Prkačin all sign. Rhoades could use that spot on another frontcourt player, which would further address the overall depth concern. Bowen solves the backcourt depth issue, but the frontcourt could still use reinforcement.
Historically, Rhoades has not filled rosters to the maximum. Penn State carried 13 players last season and 14 the year before. His first season in 2023-24 was the only time he had a full 15 player roster.
How does Bowen's return to the Big Ten impact Iowa?
For Iowa fans, Bowen's return to the conference adds an interesting storyline to the upcoming season. The Hawkeyes will face Penn State at least once during Big Ten play, potentially setting up a reunion matchup against a former player who has since found his footing as a starter. Bowen's development at St. Bonaventure suggests he is a different player than the one who left Iowa City, and Hawkeye fans will get a firsthand look at that growth.