4-star recruit commits to UVU men’s basketball team

Brad Curnow

November 10, 2015

Gabi Campbell, @gabicampbellphotos
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Wolverines pick up swingman with sweet shot

Brad Curnow | Sports Writer | @jojocornrow

The Utah Valley University men’s basketball made a big splash in the recruiting scene on Thursday evening when Wyatt Lowell, a current high school senior announced his commitment to the Wolverines.

Lowell is a 6’9” post player at Williams Field High School is Gilbert, AZ. Lowell was also highly recruited by Colorado, Utah State, Oklahoma State and USC.  On a five-star rating system, ESPN and Rivals.com currently have Lowell rated as a three-star recruit. Scout.com lists Lowell with four stars and the top power forward recruit coming out of the state of Arizona. He is also the No. 24 rated power forward in the class of 2016. Lowell’s biggest selling point to schools has been his athletic ability that accompanies his size.

“I like looking at my defender and figuring out what he can’t guard,” Lowell said in a statement to Scout.com. “I’ll take a bigger defender and take him off the dribble and a smaller defender and post him up. That’s my game.”

As a tall post player with great ball handling ability, Lowell is excellent at playing his defenders face up and beating them to the basket off the dribble. Playing in the low post, Lowell has quick footwork that allows him to beat his bigger opponents to the hoop. Even with his size Lowell can still run the floor with the speed and athleticism of a wing player. He has the ability to get out in front of the defense and score, but his outstanding shooting ability allows him to trail the breakaway and knock down big transition three-pointers. These abilities fit in perfectly with the new offensive scheme put into place at UVU.

With his shooting ability Lowell will be a huge asset to the Wolverines who are looking to spread the floor and open up the key for their low post players. Lowell is an excellent shooter that has the ability to hit shots from anywhere on the floor. He has also shown tremendous court vision and passing ability with a high basketball IQ. He also possesses the ability to distribute the basketball in tight spaces while anticipating the movement of teammates.

Wyatt Lowell’s playing style has been compared to that of Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons, in that his athletic ability and shooting prowess make him capable of playing every position on the floor from the wing to the low post. He will be a matchup problem for most defenders and will create opportunities for those around him.

He won’t enroll at UVU until 2018 due to his decision to server a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and UVU head coach Mark Pope and the UVU faithful couldn’t be more excited.