Marland Lowe, father of Kentucky signee Jaland Lowe, told the story of De’Aaron Fox and Aaron Harrison helping the Pittsburgh transfer find his new home in the portal — and steering him to Lexington, more specifically. The Lowes are from the greater Houston area, crossing paths with the former Cats in Texas through various basketball avenues, Marland a grassroots staple for three decades. He trained and worked alongside well over a hundred high-major athletes, including the likes of Fox, both Harrison twins, Ron Mercer, Damon Stoudamire, T.J. Ford and Penny Hardaway, among dozens of others.
As the 6-3 guard’s father tells it, he reached out to Aaron Harrison about his experience at Kentucky to see if there was a potential fit. The former Wildcat legend, who led the program to back-to-back Final Fours with one of the most magical runs in March Madness history back in 2014, made it clear Lowe needed to be in Lexington.
“I talked to Aaron Harrison — because he’s obviously from Houston,” Lowe said. “He said, ‘It’s like nothing you’ve seen before, it’s phenomenal, to say the least. The fans are like none other — they love basketball, they know basketball. Just the experience, man. Be ready for it, because it’s real.’”
Quite the endorsement for the blue and white, one that worked in Kentucky’s favor this spring, Mark Pope landing the All-ACC guard’s commitment to lead the program in 2025-26.
Harrison’s take? He can confirm Marland Lowe’s story, explaining that he’s known the Missouri City, TX native since he was in diapers. When they talked about Jaland’s decision in the portal, Aaron told the family it was a no-brainer — something all high-profile hoopers should do if they have the opportunity to be a Wildcat.
“I mean, I’ve been knowing Jaland since he was literally a baby — from a distance, kind of, since he’s a lot younger than me,” Aaron Harrison told KSR. “He comes from a great basketball family, his dad is really into basketball, so it’s gonna be amazing. I’m happy that he gets to even experience that, because a lot of people — everybody that plays basketball, they would want to experience playing at Kentucky and getting that type of support.
“So I’m happy for him and proud of him. I’ll give him any advice that he ever needs, for sure.”
As for Andrew, he’s certainly familiar with the Lowe family growing up in Houston — his dad knows Jaland’s dad very well. Though he wouldn’t say he’s close friends with the Kentucky signee considering the decade age gap, the other Harrison twin does know with certainty his alma mater got a good one.
“I know his dad. His dad and my dad are kind of around the same age — maybe his dad a little younger. I’ve been knowing him forever, just from our AAU program and stuff,” Andrew Harrison told KSR. “I didn’t know too much about his son until he went to Pitt and everything. I know he can definitely play. He’s definitely what the program needs. I know he’s a tough kid, a smart kid, been around the game his whole life.
“I know BBN is excited to to get him and see what he can do.”
Pope certainly agrees with the Harrisons, highlighting his newest guard’s playmaking and passion for winning after averaging 16.8 points, 5.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals en route to third team All-ACC honors last season at Pitt.
“Jaland is an incredibly explosive, playmaking, veteran point guard,” Pope said. “He’s a great kid who has a tremendous work ethic and most importantly, loves this game and wants nothing more than to win.”
Now Lowe has earned the Harrisons’ stamp of approval.
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