Mark Pope has secured another major pickup from the transfer portal

Mark Pope has secured another major pickup from the transfer portal. Pitt standout guard Jaland Lowe announced Saturday that he’s transferring to Kentucky, becoming the Wildcats’ second portal addition of the offseason. The 6-foot-3 sophomore brings experience, versatility, and proven production to a Kentucky team undergoing a roster overhaul.

Lowe spent two seasons with the Panthers and is coming off a strong 2024-25 campaign that earned him Third Team All-ACC honors. He averaged 16.8 points, 5.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game across 35.4 minutes of action. While his shooting from deep has fluctuated, Lowe flashed high-level shot-making throughout his career, particularly as a freshman. Many believe that a system tailored to his strengths could unlock more consistency and efficiency in his game.

Coaches around the ACC took notice of Lowe’s talent, even when the numbers weren’t eye-popping. Before a January matchup against Pitt, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer singled Lowe out as a top priority in their scouting report.

“Lowe’s a really good player,” Scheyer told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “He can score in different ways—hit the 3, get downhill, create… He’s out there almost the entire game and doesn’t stop. He has that next-play mindset.”

Although Duke cruised to a 76-47 win and Lowe struggled (finishing with just 8 points on 3-of-12 shooting), Scheyer’s comments underscored the level of respect Lowe commanded.

Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey also spoke highly of Lowe, referring to him as a “dynamic guard” with elite quickness and vision.

“No. 15 is a dynamic guard,” Kelsey said after their March 1 meeting. “He forces contact, he draws fouls… He’ll make those passes that, if you’re ball-watching, he’ll punish you.”

Lowe impressed in that second meeting, recording a double-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists—despite a cold shooting night from beyond the arc (1-for-8).

Now headed to Lexington, Lowe gives Pope and the Wildcats a high-level guard who can lead the offense, generate his own scoring, and go toe-to-toe with elite competition. With the respect of ACC coaches already in his corner, Lowe could be a major difference-maker for Kentucky next season.