Jim Rowinski

James Rowinski (born January 4, 1961) is a retired American professional basketball player.

College career

Rowinski, a 6'8" 250 lb center, attended and played collegiately at Purdue University. Along with standout freshman and fellow center, Russell Cross, he helped lead the Boilers to a 21-11 record and to a third-place finish in the NIT under first year head coach, Gene Keady. During his sophomore season at Purdue, Jim helped them to an NIT Finals appearance. In his Junior season, he led Purdue to the second round of the 1983 NCAA Tournament. After Russell Cross left for the NBA after his junior season, Rowinski became the starting center for the Boilermakers. During his senior season, he led the Boilers to a Co-Big Ten Conference title and to a 1984 NCAA Tournament appearance and onto a 22-7 overall record on the season, averaging 15 points a game on the season. Jim was named First Team All-Big Ten and was also selected a team co-mvp with guard, Ricky Hall. he was rewarded the Chicago Tribune Trophy, which is given the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player. He is one of three Purdue players to have been named the Big Ten Conference Most Valuable Player. Being the first in 1984, Steve Scheffler (1990) and Glenn Robinson (1994) were also recipients.-->

Professional career

Jim Rowinski was drafted by the Utah Jazz in the fourth round of the 1984 NBA Draft. Although he did not play his drafted season, Jim eventually began his NBA career in 1988 with the Detroit Pistons and on through to 1990 with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat. His NBA career lasted 23 games over two seasons, where he averaged 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds a game, along with an 84.4 percent at the free throw line and a 41.7 field goal percentage.