Mark Pope Anticipates a Smoother Experience for Jaland Lowe at Kentucky

Kentucky’s New Addition: Jaland Lowe

When Kentucky signed Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe in April, eyebrows were raised due to his relatively low shooting percentages.

During his time at Pitt, Lowe posted a field goal percentage of 37.6 and a three-point percentage of 26.6, but excelled at the free-throw line with an impressive 88.6 percent (147-for-166).

Upon closer examination, it becomes clear why Lowe’s shooting numbers might not reflect his abilities. He played for a struggling Pitt squad that finished with a 17-15 record, including an 8-12 mark in a less-than-competitive ACC, which ultimately kept them out of the NCAA Tournament.

Averaging 16.8 points per game, Lowe was the leading scorer for Pitt last season. Only two other teammates averaged in double figures—guard Ishmael Leggett at 15.7 points and forward Cameron Corhen at 11.0 points. Over the course of the season, he took 442 shots, significantly more than Leggett’s 383, representing 23.8 percent of the team’s total 1,851 attempted shots.

For context, Kentucky’s leading scorer from last season, Otega Oweh, took 415 shots in 36 games, accounting for 20.4 percent of the Wildcat’s total attempts. This was three percent less than Lowe’s share at Pitt, even though Kentucky faced its own challenges with missing players.

Now at Kentucky, Lowe will benefit from an abundance of talent, joining a program that secured a highly regarded transfer class. He will play alongside standout players including projected 2026 NBA lottery pick center Jayden Quaintance, and notable transfers such as Denzel Aberdeen.

Head coach Mark Pope believes that the game will become significantly easier for Lowe. He highlighted how Lowe was forced to take tough shots at Pitt and should find more efficiency and open looks at Kentucky.

At the NBA G League Combine, Lowe showcased his skills by scoring nine points and assisting five times in his first scrimmage, followed by ten points and five assists in his second. Last season, he also averaged 5.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game at Pitt. With the new level of talent surrounding him at Kentucky, his shooting percentages are likely to improve, alleviating any concerns from his previous stats.