Ryan Bowen visits old friends in Denver, say he's happy at Iowa

Former Iowa men's basketball player and administrative assistant Ryan Bowen said Wednesday he's happy at Iowa and doesn't plan to leave the area any time soon.

Bowen, who played 10 seasons in the NBA, met with Denver Nuggets staff last week. The Nuggets have an assistant coaching vacancy, but Bowen said he's committed to Iowa. He helped the team during last week's draft workouts.

"It's an interesting time in the NBA with the lockout coming up," said Bowen, 35. "It's one of those things where they just get to know you for sometime down the road."

In 1998, the Nuggets drafted Bowen in the second round. Bowen played five years in Denver, two in Houston, two in New Orleans and finished his NBA career in Oklahoma City.

Bowen added he met with old friends while in Denver, including people still in the organization from when he was a player. He helped with the team's workouts

After Fran McCaffery was hired as Iowa coach last year, he hired Bowen as an administrative assistant and video coordinator. Bowen cannot leave the campus to recruit and he can't instruct current players on the court.

"I'm happy just to be a part of this with Coach McCaffery," Bowen said. "It's been a huge learning experience this year.

"Obviously I want to move up at some point, but obviously I have to be patient."

Bowen's priority now is closing on a home in Coralville this Friday, and they move into it next week. He and his wife, Wendy, have three children.