Mark Pope gives injury update on Kentucky guard Jaland Lowe
By Jake Faigus
Published:
Kentucky entered the 2025-26 season with plenty of promise. The Wildcats were ranked No. 9 in the preseason AP poll and returned last year’s leading scorer, Otega Oweh. After a 24-win debut for coach Mark Pope, more was expected in Year 2.
However, one of their biggest offseason additions — Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe — has been sidelined for most of the year by a shoulder injury suffered in practice.
At a media availability on Thursday, Pope gave an update on Lowe’s status, but stopped short of offering a timetable for his return.
“We’re still in consultation. Still seeing how rehab goes. So, right now, it’s just a matter of can he get to a place where he feels some stability and some strength,” Pope said. “So, I wish I had better answers for you right now, but it really is kind of a day-to-day process to see where he ends up.
“He’s got really good mobility right now, and so it’s just a matter of stability and strength and kind of see what we get and take another swing at it, if we can.”
Lowe made his season debut for Kentucky against Valparaiso on Nov. 7. He played 18 minutes and scored 6 points to go with 5 assists. Lowe played 30 minutes against Louisville, scoring 9 points to go with 5 assists, 1 block, 1 steal, and 1 rebound.
While he was at Pitt, Lowe averaged 16.8 points, 5.5 assists, and 1.8 steals a game. He quickly became one of the better guards in the ACC, making him a massive transfer portal pickup for Kentucky.
The Wildcats are coming off an 83-66 loss to Michigan State. They host Loyola (MD) on Friday.
