Mark Pope just landed one of the more intriguing guards in the transfer portal, and his name is Jaland Lowe. Here is everything you need to know:
The 6-foot-1 sophomore from Pittsburgh is coming off a breakout year in the ACC where he averaged 16.8 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game while playing 35 minutes a night. While his shooting numbers dipped in year two (37.6% from the field, 26.6% from three), Lowe carried a massive offensive load for a Pitt team that leaned on him heavily. That won’t be the case at Kentucky — and that’s where things get interesting.
A true PG1 with real upside
Lowe brings legitimate point guard skills to a Kentucky roster that lacked a clear floor general down the stretch last season when Butler wasn't on the floor. He’s a lefty with a feel for the game — poised, creative, and confident with the ball in his hands. His handle is tight, his passing is sharp, and he plays calm which will be big in the games he will be playing in at Kentucky. As a combo guard with proven playmaking chops, he gives Pope a versatile weapon in the backcourt.
What separates Lowe from other portal guards is that he rebounds exceptionally well for his position. At just over four boards per game, he’s willing to get dirty in the paint — a much-needed boost for a Kentucky team that often lost the battle on the glass last season.
Efficiency needs work — but there’s context
Yes, the shooting numbers raise an eyebrow. Lowe hit just 26.6% from three in 2024 and shot under 38% overall. But when you dig deeper, it’s clear the inefficiency wasn’t just about shot selection — it was about usage. At Pitt, Lowe was forced to create almost everything, often taking tough looks late in the shot clock.
At Kentucky, he’ll be surrounded by more talent, better spacing, and won’t be asked to carry the offense solo. That kind of environment — paired with Pope’s player-friendly system — could lead to a leap similar to what we saw from Lamont Butler, who improved significantly in field goal and three-point percentages under Pope.
Apply that same bump to Lowe’s stats and you’re looking at a potential line of 18+ points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds with much more efficient shooting splits. Any fan would take that from their lead guard.
Defense: A work in progress
Defensively, Lowe won’t lock up the opposing team’s best scorer — at least not yet. He lacks the size to be a true disruptor on that end, but he has quick hands (1.8 steals per game in 2024) and enough speed to stay in front of most guards. He’ll need to improve within a structured team defense, but the tools are there.
A perfect fit for Pope’s offense?
Lowe’s strengths — tempo control, shot creation, passing, and rebounding — align well with Pope’s system. He doesn’t have to be the star. He just needs to run the offense, keep defenders honest from deep, and find his rhythm as a playmaker.
He’s not flashy. He’s not a household name yet. But he’s steady. And for Big Blue Nation, that’s exactly the kind of point guard who could make a big difference next season.