USF Athletics

Is expected to be at 100% following a torn  anterior cruciate ligament suffered in her right knee during the 2004-05 preseason ... Will have four years of eligibility left starting with this season ... A very versatile post player who will add depth in the middle for the Bulls ... Needs to get stronger and adjust to USF’s style of play ... Should benefit from talented players ahead of her and help the Bulls in the future ...Has proven to be an athletic player who can run the floor and is extremely active on the glass ... Is a left-hander who can create match-up problems for defenders.

2004-05 (Freshman):  Sat out the 2004-05 season due to a torn ACL in her right knee.

HIGH SCHOOL:  Averaged 20 points, 15 rebounds, and six blocked shots per game as a senior for Pahokee High School where she was a four-year letterwinner in basketball ... For her efforts, during her final scholastic season, she was named first team All-State (3A) by the Florida Sports Writers Association and was also tabbed first team All-Palm Beach County (3A-1A) by the Sun Sentinel - an honor she also earned as a junior ... Was a two-time team most valuable player selection during her junior and senior campaigns ... She is also rated as one of the top 200 players in America by several recruiting rating services.

PERSONAL:  Full name is Tamara S. Dowdell ... Born February 29, 1986, in Belle Glade, FL ... Is the daughter of Isabelle McDonald ... Is the only girl among four children ... All four have advanced on to play Division I college basketball ... Basketball runs deep in Dowdell's family ... Her brother Zabian (19) was a freshman starter at point guard for Virginia Tech last season where he was the Hokies' second leading scorer ... In addition, siblings Bernard Jackson (23) finished his last collegiate season at the College of Charleston last year and Jermaine Jackson will be a senior this season at the University of Maine ... Of the four children, three have combined for a total of five ACL surgeries during their playing careers ... Also excels in the classroom as well ... Is a member of the National Honor Society and is a Who's Who Among American High School Students ... She is also a member of the Honor Society at Pahokee High School and is a three-time member of the honor roll ... Plans to major in pre-pharmacy at USF