Pitt Star Ready for Breakout Year

Pitt Panthers star guard Jaland Lowe is seen as one of the breakout players for next season.

Mar 2, 2024; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Jaland Lowe (15) brings the ball up court against the Boston College Eagles during the first half at Conte Forum. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports / Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH -- Pitt Panthers star guard Jaland Lowe is entering his sophomore season with many national writers and NBA scouts watching to see how he performs.

Lowe recently excelled at the CP3 Elite Camp in Las Vegas, impressing scouts and writers in attendance for his play throughout.

ESPN college basketball writer Jeff Borzello looked at Lowe as one of the players he thinks will have a breakout season in 2024-25. He sees him improving upon his great second half of last season and that he'll have a bigger role with Bub Carrington going to play in the NBA.

"Lowe already had something of a breakout during the second half of 2023-24: In 19 games as Pitt's starter last season, he averaged 13.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists, shooting better than 40% from 3-point range," Borzello wrote. "With Bub Carrington off to the NBA, Jeff Capel will need to replace his scoring and playmaking in the backcourt -- and Lowe's role should only increase, making him a legitimate all-conference performer."

Lowe arrived at Pitt as a Class of 2023 four-star guard who played for Fort Bend Marshall High School in Missouri City, Texas, just outside of Houston. 

He played in all 33 games in the 2023-24 season, starting 19 of them, while averaging 26.5 minutes, scoring 9.6 points, dishing out 3.3 assists and grabbing 2.8 rebounds per game, respectively. He also shot 38.8% from the field, 35.2% from 3-point range and 85.5% from the free-throw line.

He came off the bench for the entire non-conference, but started the final 19 games of the season, including all but the three first ACC games. 

Lowe scored a season-high 20 points twice, as he shot 8-for-15 from the field, 3-for-4 from the foul line and made a 3-pointer in a loss to Syracuse at home on Jan. 16 and shot 7-for-12, 5-for-5 from the foul line and made a 3-pointer in a victory over NC State on the road on Feb. 7.

He posted one double-double on the season in the win at home against Florida State on March 5. He scored 17 points on 7-for-12 shooting from the field, including a 3-pointer and two foul shots, while also creating 10 assists. 

Two other great games saw him score 12 points and make nine assists in a blowout win at Boston College on March 2 and tally 18 points plus six assists in a win over Virginia Tech at home on Feb. 24. 

His biggest highlight of the season came in an 80-76 win against then ranked No. 7 Duke at Cameron Indoor on Jan. 20. He hit a 3-pointer right in the face of Duke forward Kyle Filipowski with less than 50 seconds left to put Pitt up four points. while shushing the crowd with a finger to his lips.

Lowe worked mostly as a point guard, helping to distribute to players like Freshman Team All-ACC honoree in guard Carrington, ACC Sixth Man of the Year in guard Ishmael Leggett and First Team All-ACC forward Blake Hinson.

Lowe and Leggett will man the back court for the Panthers next season and if they improve on the solid seasons they had, expect to see an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. 

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