PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Nelly Cummings and Jamarius Burton were key to the Pitt NCAA Tournament run. Whether it was a game-winning shot, a big assist or just leadership, the influence was special. Both are out of college eligibility leaving Pitt without a returning point guard for next year.
Meet the high school senior ready to be that guy.
Ranked the 12th best point guard in the 2023 class by 247 Sports, earning all-state honors in Texas, Jaland Lowe will a shot to fill that role, potentially along with Dior Johnson. After a senior season averaging 27 points, six assists and eight rebounds a game, the 6’1” Lowe wants to be that freshman starting at the leadership position on the court.
“I just want to come in and make a huge impact right away with the play-making and skills I have,” Lowe told 93.7 The Fan. “I think it fits the way that they play. It’s a great opportunity and I’m ready for it.”
“Try to lead by example at first, but I’m going to show that I work every day. Be positive toward everybody, cheer everybody up. Be someone they can trust and count on for sure.”
Lowe will be in Pittsburgh in early June to start his career. He signed with Pitt back in November, when the team was picked 14th in the ACC. He came based on a promise of what they could be. He watched his future team not only make, but win two games in the NCAA Tournament.
“It was good for me,” Lowe said. “It validated everything that he (head coach Jeff Capel) said and everything I believe in, in him as a coach and as a team. It was great seeing that because I really believed him from the beginning to see it all play out and be more than anyone thought it would be. It was just great.”
Lowe said there were group chats with the other two members of the recruiting class shooting guard Carlton Carrington from Maryland and small forward Marlon Barnes, Jr from Cleveland. They were fans of the Diaz Graham twins, Federiko Federiko and Blake Hinson-all back with the team this coming season. He also saw the way they interacted and must have noticed how the team mobbed former manager and walk-on Aiden Fisch after he scored on senior night.
“You always want to go into a program knowing your brothers have your back,” Lowe said. “That’s exactly what this Pitt team displayed. Everyone was cheering for each other. Everyone was happy for each other’s success. Overall, that’s what it’s all about. It’s a real big reason I love Pitt.”
Lowe first met Capel when he was in sixth grade. His team was part of a national tournament in North Carolina and he wanted to see Duke and UNC. His father called Capel, the two had a previous relationship, and the then Duke assistant gave Lowe a complete tour of the facilities. He remembered that gesture and eventually signed with Pitt. Not because of that, more because of the way the Pitt head coach handles himself.
“Coach Capel was a lot more honest about everything,” Lowe said. “He was telling me about how it will be up there. How I will come up there and you could tell in his tone and the way he spoke that it was a lot different than other coaches. I knew he was real genuine about everything.”
He was up for a game in January and said he can’t wait to play in front of the Oakland Zoo. Calling the Pitt student second ‘amazing’.
Lowe is 6’1”, but loves to rebound, loves to play fast, loves to be a play-maker and if things break his way, Pitt fans will love him as the next Panthers point guard.