Kentucky point guard Jaland Lowe is officially on the road to recovery after undergoing successful surgery on his right shoulder, head coach Mark Pope confirmed Thursday. The procedure took place Wednesday, and while Lowe could rejoin the team as early as next week in a non-playing capacity, the rehab timeline points to a full six-month recovery-meaning we likely won’t see him back on the court until late summer.
“He had surgery yesterday, and it went smoothly,” Pope said during his press conference. “He will be on the road to recovery.
I don’t know if he will be available on Saturday, but hopefully he can be back on Tuesday. His rehab will be six months unless there’s a miracle.
I believe in miracles. We’ll see.”
The injury traces back to October, when Lowe first dislocated the shoulder during Kentucky’s Blue-White scrimmage. It’s been a nagging issue ever since, with multiple flare-ups throughout the early part of the season. After weighing their options-and a few tough conversations between Lowe, his family, and the coaching staff-the decision was made to shut things down and prioritize long-term health.
It’s a tough break for the freshman guard, who showed flashes of promise in his limited action this season. Lowe appeared in nine games, averaging 8.0 points, 2.4 assists, and 2.1 rebounds per contest. While those numbers don’t leap off the stat sheet, they hint at a player who was finding his rhythm and carving out a role in a deep Kentucky backcourt.
With the season now officially over for Lowe, the next step is applying for a medical redshirt-giving him the opportunity to reclaim a year of eligibility. That’s a strategic move, one that could pay dividends for both Lowe and the Wildcats down the line.
As for what’s next, the expectation is that Lowe will return to Lexington next season. But with the ever-evolving landscape of college basketball and the transfer portal looming, nothing’s set in stone just yet.
For now, it’s all about recovery. And if Pope’s optimism is any indication, Lowe’s road back could be one to watch closely.
The talent is there. The work ethic is there.
Now it’s just a matter of time.