One came all the way from Detroit, the other from Columbia, S.C.
Somehow, they arrived at the very same spot -- the end of the Pitt basketball team's bench -- and have been practically inseparable ever since.
That bench has become a second home for redshirt-sophomore walk-ons Marcus Bowman and Charles "Biggie" Small.
They're a couple of small fish in a big pond, you might say. Either man could have played regularly at a lesser school. Each chose Pitt, knowing that if he didn't make it as a walk-on, he'd have to satisfy his basketball fix in intramural leagues.
"We can relate to each other," Small said. "It makes it a little bit easier."
At 5-foot-7, Small is one of the shortest players in Division I. He and Bowman often share the same thought during games, expressed by Bowman this way:
"Just let me go out there."
It doesn't happen very often, though Petersen Events Center crowds implore coach Jamie Dixon to insert Small at the end of every blowout victory.
"We want Small!" the chant goes.
Small and Bowman have played only 10 minutes combined this season, haven't played since Dec. 18 and have scored only two points. Each made a free throw.
Neither has scored a basket in his college career.
"The competitor in me wants to be out there playing," said Bowman, an accomplished 6-3 guard at Richland Northeast High School. "I watch TV like everybody else. I see the guy from Kansas (Christian Moody) and Kentucky (Ravi Moss), walk-ons getting big minutes. I watch those guys and say, 'I know I could be in that spot.'
"But, you have to be humble."
As it stands, the two must feed their competitive urges in practice.
"It's fun," Small said. "A lot of people don't get a chance to play against this type of competition."
Injuries, a transfer and a suspension have shortened Pitt's roster this season, affording Bowman and Small a more significant practice role.
"Those guys bring incredible energy," said starting point guard Carl Krauser. "They're tough kids, ready to play every day. I don't really consider them walk-ons. They're just players on the team."
Bowman loves banging heads with Krauser.
"He's one of the toughest guys I've ever met," Bowman said. "If you're not ready to step up, he'll just run all over you, whether it be with his mouth or with his play."
A 4.0 student in high school, Bowman came to Pitt on a full academic scholarship. He majors in finance but also has an eye toward coaching. He figured observing at a Big East school, as opposed to playing at a small southern school, would serve him better in that pursuit.
Small arrived at Pitt because of his relationship with former Pitt assistant Ernie Ziegler, who had connections in Detroit. A National Honor Society student in high school, Small majors in social work.
Dixon appreciates both players for their energy and perseverance.
"They're just as important as any other guy," he said. "I feel for them. I'll say, after a game, I wish I could have gotten them in, because I know how hard they work. And I appreciate it."
Any friendly wager between the two as to who'll score the first basket?
"I'll be happy for Marcus if he scores," Small said. "And I know he'd be happy for me."
