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Jaland Lowe injury update: Mark Pope offers major change in Kentucky guard's status

Danby: Daniel Hager3 hours agoDanielHagerOn3
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Kentucky guard Jaland Lowe (Photo via UK Athletics)

After suffering a shoulder injury in Kentucky‘s Blue-White Game on Oct. 17, transfer guard Jaland Lowe is expected to play in Friday night’s game against Valparaiso. Head coach Mark Pope revealed the news during Thursday’s media opportunity.

Lowe, who averaged 16.8 points and 5.5 assists last season at Pittsburgh, did not play in Kentucky‘s exhibition games against No. 1 Purdue and Georgetown. He also did not play in the season opener against Nicholls on Tuesday night.

Without Lowe on the court, Kentucky used guards Collin Chandler, Denzel Aberdeen and Jasper Johnson at the point in its season-opening 77-51 win against Nicholls. Chandler scored a career-high 15 points and dished out four assists, while Aberdeen scored 10 points and recorded six assists. In his first collegiate regular season game, Johnson also dished out four assists

Before he has even stepped onto the Rupp Arena floor, Lowe is expected to be one of the best point guards in the nation. Lowe was named to the 2026 Bob Cousy Award watch list, which goes to the top point guard in college hoops. He was also named Preseason Third Team All-SEC.

Mark Pope said Lowe ‘has the potential to grow into a great leader’

In his two seasons at Pittsburgh, Lowe averaged 13.1 points and 4.3 assists. He enjoyed one of the best games of his career last season against Louisville, scoring 24 points and dishing out six assists. With Lowe returning for the Valparaiso game, he should be ready to go for Tuesday’s ‘Battle of the Bluegrass’ against the No. 11-ranked Cardinals.

“I think he has the potential to grow into a great leader,” Pope said about Lowe last month. “I think for us to be what we want to be, he’s going to have to be a star, and I think he’s ready to do it.”

“He is cat-quick. He is as good as anybody I’ve ever coached at being able to get wherever he wants to on the court whenever he wants to get there. He’s got the potential to be an elite-level playmaker. He’s really got a high IQ in how he kind of understands the game, and he tries to attack the game. And he’s learning that fast.”

With Lowe back on the court, Kentucky will look to improve to 2-0 Friday night against Valpo. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET, and the game can be seen on SEC Network+.