Tigers inquire about JUCO forward

The last week has been a turn of events for Chipola College (Fla.) power forward Cinmeon Bowers. The three-star prospect, formerly a four-star, committed and signed with Florida State during the early signing period. Less than one week ago, Florida State released Bowers from his NLI in relation to an arrest in January involving the possession of marijuana during a traffic stop.

The charges against Bowers and his two teammates were dropped on February 6 and the players were reinstated to the team.

Now, it appears the recruitment of one of the nation's top junior college prospect is opening back up. Auburn, South Carolina and Memphis have all inquired about the 6-foot-8, 250-pound Bowers this week. The talks are categorized as preliminary and no visits have been set up.

"They're interested," Bowers told AuburnSports.com. "If I reach out, then maybe they don't want me. I haven't reached out to anybody, I'd rather them reach out to me so I know they're really interested."

Bowers, a Milwaukee, Wisc. native, has three official visits remaining. He graduates from Chipola College at the end of April and graduates on May 1. Bowers aims to take his official visits before then. Tigers' assistant Tony Jones spoke with Bowers' AAU coach, and Bowers has mutual interest.

"I don't know much about Auburn, but I know who Bruce Pearl is and I'd be interested in visiting them," he said. With programs showing interest, Bowers hopes the past is behind him.

"There aren't any hard feelings between myself and Florida State, they just decided to go in another direction," said Bowers. "They weren't sure what they should do, so they released me so I wouldn't miss out on other opportunities. "I'm a high energy guy and I'm going to do whatever it takes to succeed."

Bowers averaged 12.4 points and nine rebounds per game this season at Chipola College.