Mike Boynton and his staff have been hard at work this summer hosting official visits for players in the 2023 recruiting class, and they had another in this week.
Jaland Lowe, a 6-foot-1 point guard from the Houston area, made a stop in Stillwater. Lowe plays at Fort Bend High School in Missouri City, Texas and plays with Houston Hoops on Nike's EYBL circuit. With Houston Hoops this spring and summer, Lowe is averaging 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and four assists in about 26 minutes a game.
Lowe is a three-star prospect in the 247Sports composite rankings and listed as the No. 156 player in the country. He spoke with PFB on Thursday about his visit in Gallagher-Iba Arena and his recruitment as a whole.
PFB: How was your Oklahoma State visit?
Jaland Lowe: "It was great. I really liked it. It was a really cool experience. Since it was my was my first one, I didn't really know what to expect, but yeah, I really enjoyed it."
PFB: What was your favorite part of it?
JL: "Probably going out to eat. The food was really good. Going out to eat was really good. The photoshoot was definitely probably the fun part of it. That was that was one of the best parts for sure."
PFB: What are your overall thoughts on Oklahoma State at this point?
JL: "I really love their culture and their coaches. They really make you feel close to them, really interact with you as a person not just as a player. I got along with them well. I got along with some of the players really well. Yeah, the way they just made it feel normal, just talking and everything like that, it was really nice."
PFB: You mentioned this being your first official visit, how did it get set up?
JL: ""Coach (Terrence) Rencher really want me to come out, and I really wanted to come out also. So we set that up to be able to come out there."
PFB: What have the coaches been pitching to you about Oklahoma State?
JL: "Really that it's just a good spot for me to come there. A lot of their coaches are were guards, have been guards. Coach Boynton, he's a real big guy on competitiveness. They just like the way I play my game and style, and they think it really matches the way they play up there."
PFB: Do you know any of the players on OSU's roster?
JL: "I knew of Avery (Anderson) and Chris (Harris) before I went up there. I didn't know them well. I just knew about them because I watched them a little bit while they were down here in high school. But yeah, I hung out with them for a little bit. They were real cool."
PFB: Who are some of the other schools you've been in the most communication with?
JL: "SMU is a really big one. Boise State has reached out. I've also heard from Texas Tech and Texas State."
PFB: Do you have any other visits planned?
JL: "No, I don't have any visits planned just yet. We're probably gonna look later on in the coming months."
PFB: Do you have a timetable for when you'd like to pick a program?
JL: "No, I do not have a timetable -- not at all. Really don't know when I want to commit or anything of that nature yet. I'm just trying to enjoy the recruiting process right now."
PFB: What are you looking for in a program?
JL: "A place that just makes it feel like home. Where I'm welcome. Where I'm needed and wanted. Where I can just play my game where they want me for how I play, my style of game. That's really where I look at a place."
PFB: How do you think your spring and summer has gone so far with Houston Hoops on the EYBL?
JL: "I think it's gone pretty good so far. I think I'm definitely going to improve this coming month, but it's been really good so far. We've been winning. I've been having fun out there. Just helping my team win is what I do."
PFB: Lastly, what are some parts of your game you think will translate well to the college level and what do you need to develop more this summer and in your senior season?
JL: "Some parts that I think will translate to college is I think I play at a pretty fast pace that can translate to college. I think I can get my shot off pretty well, pass the ball really well. I have pretty good knowledge of the game. I think those will help me translate my game to the college level. Something I probably need to work on is just probably my strength and athleticism, which can help a lot at the next level. Yeah, those are the things I'm focusing on also."