When Jaland Lowe was contemplating a transfer from Pittsburgh to Kentucky his father made sure to get all the information he could about UK coach Mark Pope.
“We called people and spoke to people who had personal knowledge of relationships with him. People I have known for 15 or 20 years made us feel comfortable about him and seeing if he was the guy to help my son,” Marland Lowe, Jaland’s father, said. “The Kentucky brand itself was huge but so many people said great things about him (Pope).
“At this point it is also about roster fit and position along with roster management and the coach. You have to monitor that more than ever before but it just made sense being at Kentucky with Pope and his staff with the way he gets guys to buy into what he’s doing.”
Jaland Lowe, a lefty, averaged 16.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 35.4 minutes per game last year at Pitt but was only a 26 percent shooter from 3-point range. However, he had over 20 points in 10 games, including a high of 28 in an overtime win at Ohio State. He also had a triple-double (11 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) in a win over VMI.
Marland Lowe, Southwest director of Grassroots Basketball, noted his son picking Kentucky was about more than just “liking” Pope.
“It was also about how he could enhance Jaland’s game. It was interesting how he talked about usage rate and where he ranked in pick and roll and Pope liked how he managed that and talked about where he needs to improve in the pick and roll as well,” Marland Lowe said. “He said he would make sure to have players around him that could finish the passes and plays he makes. He talked so much about how he could help him improve in many areas, and that was something Jaland really liked.”
Marland Lowe considers his son a “basketball connoisseur” who loves basketball because he basically grew up in a gym.
“He just wanted to be in the gym. You didn’t have to force him,” the point guard’s father said. “He would move and run around and if he got tired he would use get ball as a pillow. That love of the game is why his understanding of the game is so high.”
Pope talked to them about former UK star Ron Mercer and thought Jaland Lowe might not know who he was.
“Jaland was just a little kid and Ron Mercer was in the gym working out,” Marland Lowe said.
Former UK star De’Aaron Fox grew up in Katy, Texas, and played for Houston Hoops, a program Marland Lowe was affiliated with.
“Jaland knows De’Aaron and has followed him for many years. He knows plenty about the legacy of the University of Kentucky and the championships they have,” Marland Lowe said.
The new UK point guard’s father appreciates the way some have compared his son to Lamont Butler, UK’s starting point guard last season, but he did not see Butler play a lot last season.
“Jaland has a very unique style that other players enjoy being with him. They know if they are open they will get the ball and he knows how to deliver the ball where they want it. He knows how to make winning plays for the team,” Marland Lowe said.
“He has a pretty good feel both with his left hand and right hand. Everything he does with his left hand he can do with his right hand. We did push him to be a complete player. If you make him go right, he will do it. He is clever enough and crafty enough to get where he wants. He is about finishing plays.”
Jaland Lowe is one of many players who put his name into the NBA Draft but also maintained his collegiate eligibility.
“Its about getting feedback on what NBA teams really think and what you need to work on and at the same time things that they like about your game and things you can enhance,” Marland Lowe said. “There’s no downside to doing that for him, but you can only test twice. You can try again next year but then you have got to go (to the NBA Draft and leave college).”
