Bowden ditching social media as season-opener nears

Tennessee's veteran shooting guard is ditching social media for the time being as he prepares for his senior season.

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden is no stranger to social media, but come Oct. 30 when the Vols host Eastern New Mexico in their annual exhibition game, he will be.

A SEC Sixth Man of the Year candidate a season ago, Bowden announced via his personal Facebook page that a post featuring one of his portraits from UT's team photoshoot would be his "last for awhile." 

Rather than spend his spare time on social media, the senior guard has shifted his focus to the upcoming season, a year that he believes will be "something special."

Appearing in 36 games for the Vols last season, Bowden put up career-highs across the board. He averaged 10.6 points, 1.9 assists while shooting 46 percent from the field, including a 38-percent mark from beyond the arc.

He also logged 1002 total minutes which topped his previous high of 978 in 2018. 

One of the more versatile wings on Tennessee's roster, the 6'5 product of Carter High School enters the 2019 season as an All-SEC candidate while being named to the preseason Jerry West Award watch list.

Known for his high-flying dunks and ability to shoot the ball from distance on the court, Bowden is also recognized for his personality off of it, a persona that includes joking and dancing.

In fact, one of his postgame dances from inside the locker room was so popular that it became a viral sensation on social media for weeks during UT's 19-game winning streak last season. 

With Tennessee looking to rebound from last year's bitter loss to Purdue in the Sweet 16, Bowden and fellow senior guard Lamonté Turner will be relied upon more than ever as UT brings along six newcomers.