Marquette coach Shaka Smart nabbed his first player of the 2023 class on the recruiting trail when Zaire Lowery committed recently.
You can almost forget high school recruiting is still going on with all the transfer portal talk in college basketball. Make no mistake, though, high school recruiting is the lifeblood long-term for a college program.
6’4 2023 Zaide Lowery of @PooBasketball has given a commitment to Marquette. @flightbball417 pic.twitter.com/29GHGOlI5k
— Prep Hoops Missouri (@PrepHoopsMO) April 19, 2022
Smart was quoted after Lowery’s commitment and said that high school recruits will be his focus rather than the transfer portal. Here is a quote in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story on Lowery’s commitment.
“But we’re still going to build our program primarily through high school kids. That doesn’t mean we would never take a transfer. I think it would be irresponsible to not at least look. But those guys have to fit, too. The thing I’ve learned over the years is that the older a guy is that you bring into your program, the more he probably is who he is. Whereas (a player like MU’s) Emarion Ellis, he came in here at 17 years old. That’s a moldable guy. There’s some things you can change and improve and help him learn.”
Lowery’s stock is rising
Lowery is a long and lanky 6-foot-4 guard from Kickapoo, Missouri. Lowery is a top-100 recruit (no. 93) according to Rivals. MU offered Lowery a scholarship in July and he made an official visit to campus in November.
Zaide Lowery (6'4, G, 2023) | Stock 📈
Ultimate teammate. Advanced mid-range skill-set. Impacts the game beyond just scoring. Offers: K-State, Marquette, Missouri St.@LoweryZaide @PooBasketball @flightbball417 @Redtapez_ @HyVeeArena @12CourtsXmas pic.twitter.com/hZwljYYtdd
— RecruitLook Hoops (@RL_Hoops) December 21, 2021
In his junior season, Lowery averaged 15.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3 assists per game. He shot 38 percent from 3-point range.
Lowery snares only open 2023 scholarship
Lowery is the kind of athlete Smart loves to recruit. He is an explosive athlete who can create highlight reel dunks and became known for it in the Missouri area. For now, Lowery is taking the only open scholarship available for Smart and MU. However, if Justin Lewis remains in the draft and departs, another scholarship opens up.
Shaka Smart has nabbed his share of guards on the recruiting trail. Lowery adds to the young talent for Marquette, which includes a crowded backcourt. To name a few slated to be there in 2023: Emarion Ellis, Kam Jones, Sean Jones, Stevie Mitchell and Chase Ross.
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