Kentucky fans are crossing their fingers as three Wildcats — Jaland Lowe, Lamont Butler, and Amari Williams — received invitations to the 2025 NBA G League Elite Camp, set for May 9–11 in Chicago. For Mark Pope’s squad, the invite is an honor. But for one player, it could mean more than just exposure — it could mean a ticket out of Lexington before ever suiting up in Rupp Arena.
The G League Elite Camp is the NBA’s pre-draft proving ground — a three-day event that lets 45 draft-eligible players showcase their skills in front of NBA and G League coaches, scouts, and front offices. It's not the full Draft Combine, but it’s the doorway. Perform well in scrimmages, agility drills, and interviews, and you just might hear your name called to join the official NBA Draft Combine days later.
That’s what makes Jaland Lowe’s invite so intriguing. The incoming transfer from SMU hasn’t played a minute for Kentucky, but he may already be on the radar of teams beyond the SEC. He’s a smooth, controlled guard with pace, poise, and scoring punch — and at 6-foot-1, he showed flashes of pro readiness during his freshman campaign.
Still, this isn’t an automatic “goodbye.” The most likely outcome? Lowe returns to Kentucky, puts on the jersey, and raises his draft stock under Pope’s system. But the G League Elite Camp is no formality — it’s a real evaluation event. And should Lowe turn heads, it’s not unthinkable he could test the waters seriously.
Lamont Butler and Amari Williams, both established veterans, are also using this moment to evaluate their professional futures. Butler, the defensive stalwart from San Diego State, has already proven himself in high-leverage games. Williams, the former Drexel big man and multi-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year, brings rim protection and upside that NBA evaluators like in two-way centers.
From Kentucky’s perspective, Butler and Williams should ball out and get an invite to the combine— but Lowe is different. He was supposed to be a centerpiece of the new backcourt. If he leaves, the ripple effects are immediate. So do you root for him to do really well?
Right now, Kentucky’s primary ball handlers are Lowe, Denzel Aberdeen, and freshman Jasper Johnson — assuming Collin Chandler stays off the ball. Travis Perry's transfer to Ole Miss already thinned the ranks, and a Lowe exit would take Kentucky from deep to dangerously thin in the backcourt. One turned ankle, and you’re into emergency lineups.
There’s cover if Otega Oweh tests the waters and stays in. With Mouhammed Dioubate, Kam Williams, and even Trent Noah as swing pieces, there’s enough versatility on the wing. But if both Oweh and Lowe leave, Pope will have to get creative — or head back to the portal.
For now, this is a proud moment for the program. Three players representing Kentucky at the G League Elite Camp shows the talent Pope is collecting and developing. But for Jaland Lowe, it might be the start of a very difficult decision. One that could reshape Kentucky’s backcourt before summer workouts even begin.