Founder, Owner, and Head Coach, LBO Sports, and Director of Marketing and Content Creation, Every True Tiger Brands
Mizzou basketball brought Laurence Bowers to Columbia in 2008. And although professional basketball after his stellar Tiger career took him away, he returned. Once again, he’s leaving his mark.
Laurence founded LBO Sports, offering youth basketball training and camps. Camp Bowers and Baby Ballers now attracts more than 550 kids per year with some receiving scholarships to make participation possible. An injury might have ended Laurence’s career as a player, but his passion for basketball and his belief in the game’s ability to change lives is never ending.
“Who I strive to be has been encapsulated in the timeless Golden Rule: Treat others as you wish to be treated,” Laurence says. “This principle drives my approach to coaching and mentoring, advocating for kindness and positivity, even in adversity.”
This kind of attitude led Nick Garner, CEO of Every True Tiger Brands, to bring Laurence on board to handle marketing and content creation. Getting the NCAA’s new name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunity right is a high bar.
“When there was a need for someone to step up and lead a new initiative that would help strengthen Mizzou’s athletic program, as well as the broader University, Laurence’s name came up since he was so well respected and could foster connections with individuals and those in the business community,” says Brant Bukowsky, Veterans United co-founder.
“Laurence is tireless in his dedication to everything he does, whether family, work, basketball lessons, basketball camp, or serving local charities,” Nick adds. “In addition to his various community commitments, he is steadfast in his desire for excellence in everything he does and is always available to lend a hand to those in need.”
Basketball and business aside, Laurence also founded Versatility Art Studio to flex his artistic muscle. The cager has created more than one hundred commissioned works for Columbians and the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Adam Wainwright.
“There are some people in this world who do good things for other people because they want a trophy or to put it on their resume,” says Anthony Gadbois of Cherry Hill Dental. “Laurence does good things for other people because it’s the right thing to do and he doesn’t know how to not be nice.”
Age: 34
Fun Fact:
Laurence loves karaoke and will burst spontaneously into song — anywhere, anytime — much to his wife’s chagrin.
