Top 5 power forwards in the WCC this past season

Jan 29, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward/center Sam Dower (35) reacts after scoring a basket against the Santa Clara Broncos during the second half at Leavey Center. The Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated the Santa Clara Broncos 54-52. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 Sam Dower (Gonzaga)

Preseason Rank: 1

Patience is virtue, and Gonzaga senior Sam Dower is an example of that in action.

After playing off the bench for his first three years, Dower finally got his chance to breakthrough in his fifth and final season donning a Gonzaga uniform.

Dower was always an efficient scorer, but it was unsure if Dower could replicate that in a higher volume type role. The senior from Minneapolis, Minn. proved his doubters wrong this season by averaging 14.4 points and 7.7 rebounds. Dower recorded eight double-doubles in the season after only amassing one in his freshman, sophomore and junior season.

When it was all said in done, Dower tied with Kevin Pangos in scoring among Bulldog players led the team in rebounding.

If Dower did not sustained a hip injury in a loss to Kansas State in the middle of December, his season could have been even better. The senior missed two games as a result, and was not fully integrated back in the rotation for three games after that.

Instead of transferring after he wasn’t getting the playing time he could have gotten at other schools, Dower let the natural order take care of things and was able to make a significant impact his senior year as a result.