A day after sending Bub Carrington off to the 2024 NBA Draft, Pitt has secured the return of one of its most important players.
Jaland Lowe — a rising 6-foot-3 sophomore guard from Missouri City, Tx. — will officially return to Pittsburgh for his sophomore season, Pitt men’s basketball announced, setting the foundation for a breakout campaign from the talented point guard.
Lowe played in 33 games last season, making 19 starts, and he averaged 9.6 points, 3.3 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game. He shot 39% from the field, 35% from 3-point range and 88% from the free throw line.
Lowe turned it on down the stretch for the Panthers, starting each of the final 19 games of the season at the point. He averaged 13.1 points per game upon being inserted into the lineup, forming a dynamic backcourt with Carrington, and his return is excellent news for Jeff Capel and the coaching staff.
He put together perhaps his best game as a Panther against Florida State in March, pouring in 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting and adding 10 assists and five rebounds. Lowe’s play down the stretch for the Panthers points to his high upside next season.
He was originally a four-star recruit in the class of 2023, rated as the 66th-ranked recruit in the class by ESPN, and he committed to Pitt prior to a standout senior season at Fort Bend Marshall.
Pitt will be tasked with replacing Carrington and Blake Hinson, two major contributors to last season’s success, but the return of Lowe gives the Panthers a high-potential point guard to help lead the team into the future. And of course, with Carrington declaring early, Jeff Capel and co. will be active in the transfer portal.
Lowe is the first Pitt player to announce his intentions to return for next season, partnering with the Pitt NIL collective Alliance 412.
It’s sad in this day and age you have to wonder if anyone good on your team is going to come back the next year, especially freshman.
Understand the schools and the NCAA made this a reality because the athletes were used. The argument, the kids get free education rings hollow when the coach directs them to useless degrees or no degrees at all.
This makes yesterday’s news old news…Jaland is the key; remember, Bub’s defense against the elite ACC guards was sub-par, and he usually got into foul trouble, plus it was only when Jaland returned from an injury that Bub’s game improved. Now pair up Texan Jaland with Texan Cam C. and who knows?
Thank you Jayland Lowe! I lived in Houston for 35 years, so I had followed your hs basketball and was pleased you came to Pitt!!! Thank you for your contribution and talent, and may your basketball career be blessed. National title next year???
Probably was our best guard this year.