Tuesday, April 29, 2008
DAYTON — Asked what impressed him about his visit to the University of Dayton last weekend, Rob Lowery didn't hesitate.
"We walked around the campus, and there was another group walking by," Lowery said. "They already knew who I was and why I was there. That let me know they take basketball seriously."
Extras
Lowery will taste the basketball environment first-hand after the junior college All-American signed a national letter of intent with the Flyers on Monday, April 28. A 6-foot-2, 165-pound point guard from Maryland's Cecil Community College, Lowery is known for his energy and shooting touch, which helped him average 18.2 points, 8.7 assists and 40 percent shooting from 3-point range in leading Cecil to a 31-1 record and a No. 1 national ranking for much of the season.
"The intangible things are what I really like about him," UD coach Brian Gregory said. "His vocal play on the court, leadership skills on the court and so forth."
Lowery must now find his place with the Flyers, who had scholarship room for him when backup center Thiago Cordeiro announced he will transfer. London Warren, who will be a junior, and Stephen Thomas (sophomore) are expected to compete with Lowery for time at point guard, a position previously held by standout Brian Roberts.
The Flyers, however, use multiple lineups that can downplay the importance of a traditional point guard.
"At times we've played very small, four guards and one big," Gregory said. "Other times we were able to play bigger lineups. Over a 30-game season, you have to do other things to try to be successful, and I think we'll have that depth again next year."
A native of the Washington, D.C., area, Lowery has added a consistent jump shot to an athletic résumé that he hopes will get him on the floor quickly.
"I used to be scared to take a shot," Lowery said. "Now I'm so comfortable with it. I bring a lot of energy to the floor. I'm a leader, I lead by example. I'm going to work hard to be a good player."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Comments
By B-rad
May 6, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
Hopefully Lowery can dribble the ball better than London Warren. Warren is ALWAYS out of control with the ball-he would lose the ball even if it was attached to his wrist with a chain. I’m glad BG went out and got someone instead of just leaving the scholarship vacant. If Lowery is no good, he’s only around for 2 years anyway. At least we won’t get stuck watching him muff around for 4 years like Jimmy Binnie!
By jack
May 2, 2008 12:30 AM | Link to this
Drew Lavender hates white drinking establishments. He said so.
By Deena
April 30, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
HEY GLEN,
That wasn’t a nice comment, all I can say is “WATCH ROB LOWERY ON THE COURT THIS SEASON” and that will speak for itself! That is if you are a TRUE FAN:)
By MidMajor Xavier
April 30, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
Welcome Lowery! Be careful, Xavier fans are embarassed over Drew Lavender and rooting for that little criminal all these years. How embarassing! Let’s hope the good folks at Eggzavier can help little Drew get off the crack, weed and hurt feelings over shooting them out of the NCAA tourney. Was indeed Drew Lavender HIGH during the blow out to UCLA? Wow, all those guys looked high. Duncan did recover his stroke though once the pressure was off … he looked better in that all star game.
By xman
April 30, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
Wow, you Drew Lavender fans are funny! Go X! Go Drew!
By Brenda
April 30, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
PINK FLOYD, DON’T LET THE PICTURE FOOL YOU. GOD FEARING YOUNG MAN YOU ARE LOOKING AT.
By PinkFloyd
April 30, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this
Here are some possible nicknames for Lowry.
1 Rob “Smokin Dope” Lowry 2 Rob “The Thug” Lowry 3 Rob “Wild Thing” Lowry 4 Rob “Dealing” Lowry
Since he is a point guard, I like 4.
Anyone else have some good nicknames?
By Bobby G.
April 29, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this
The Flyers haven’t had a player inside that has scared anybody for years. Until they get a dominant inside power player, the best PG on the planet won’t make much of a difference. Nice pick up for Gregory, but unfortunately it’ll be same-o same-o Flyer ball this year - - nice home record, .500 road record, two butt whippings by X, and maybe another trip to the “Not-Invited-Tournament”. I’m guessing a 20-9 season. Enjoy!
By Bobby G.
April 29, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this
The Flyers haven’t had a player inside that has scared anybody for years. Until they get a dominant inside power player, the best PG on the planet won’t make much of a difference. Nice pick up for Gregory, but unfortunately it’ll be same-o same-o Flyer ball this year - - nice home record, .500 road record, two butt whippings by X, and maybe another trip to the “Not-Invited-Tournament”. I’m guessing a 20-9 season. Enjoy!
By Glen
April 29, 2008 9:31 PM | Link to this
My one wish, I hope Rob stays away from the crack houses (and our daughters).
By Glen
April 29, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
Is he higher than a kite, or what? Stay off the weed mon.
By Jon H.
April 29, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Great potential, but ALL the players need to work really hard on their conditioning and in the weight room during the off-season to gain the stamina, weight, and muscle so crucial to playing at a consistently high level in Div. I from Nov. thru April.Lowery’s stepping up now to a whole different level, and if he wants to really lead his new team, he’s got to buy into BG’s system, learn it better than everyone else, and work extra hard to become a member of his new “family.”
By jack
April 29, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
I watched Drew Lavender get arrested by the cops in Cincy. I hope we don’t get guys like that.
By Travis
April 29, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
Robert Lowery Jr. out of Washington DC.. is going to do his thing regardless of the critics. Unlike yall know hes the hardest working younging this town has ever seen. Then yall put him with some good players!!!.. ohh its showtime now!!
By Bob
April 29, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
Now, how will we replace Binnie’s minutes?
By Kyle
April 29, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
At least Dayton has another option at the point other than London “turnover” Warren or seldom used Thomas (what the heck happened to his playing time last year by the way?). Unfortunately this comes at the expense of another player’s scholarship. Perhaps Cordero left on his own, perhaps he was pushed, but the fact remains that this was a necessary move for the greater good of the basketball program.
Nice mug shot by the way. Obviously taken from one of the scout websites and pasted.
By Daniel R. Monnin
April 29, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Next years team will be the most athletic team in the history of the program. The team will have great depth as well. Rob Lowery will be a great addition. If the team can stay away from injuries, next season will be very special.
By shawn
April 29, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
What lazy reporting. The man comes to UD to visit and the DDN can’t seem to muster the energy to get a decent photo of him. You reporters and editors have simply fallen into the lazy realm of “blogging.”
By Reese
April 29, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
With this kids love for the game all I can say is “Lets Play Ball”. Rob has the ability to make things happen. His numbers speak for him. This kid has leadership skill, he enjoys motivating his team to win and will be an added plus to what Dayton calls their Flight Club. What out for this kids Alley oop. Coach and the UD staff have made an excellent choice.
By Dante
April 29, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
GREAT JOB BRAIN ROB WILL HELP UD RIGHT AWAY .WE NOW HAVE A REAL POINT GUARD,SHOOTER A KID THAT NO HOW TO WIN.GO UD !!!!.
By RRose
April 29, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
Let’s face it. BG’s rotation makes it hard to rely on one player. That will not change! BRob often was the only scorer on the court. London and Thomas are inconsistent scorers. Lowery brings offense to the point. With Wright healthy, Johnson improving and Benson to push Big Kurt, the flyers look like they can do some damage this year. Get the NCAA tickets while you can.
By ed
April 29, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
The most important part of the story is that BG lost another player after just 1 year in the program. Anybody hear of Anthony Grant?
By Deena
April 29, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
Like ROB LOWERY said ” He bring alot of energy to the floor” UD has turned over a new leaf, or shall I say a New and Great Basketball Player!
By Brenda
April 29, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this
Hey Joe,
You might be right about some JUCCO Players, but that is the past ROB LOWERY IS THE FUTURE.
By Brenda
April 29, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
Rob Lowery is the best thing UD has seen in a long time. Get ready for some BASKETABLL.
By Ryan
April 29, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
chrism, glad you moved away.
By Martin
April 29, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
To ChrisM: Yeah, I know what you mean. Ignorant comments from DDN forum readers taking cheap shots at Dayton… Oh, wait a minute, that was YOUR post!
By ChrisM
April 29, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
Funny, I graduated from UD, but after living in Dayton for a couple of years, I moved. Away. Everytime I look at these forums on the DDN, I’m reminded why. Thanks for reinforcing my decision.
By X FAN
April 29, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
Hey Steve, XAVIER didnt have anyone to stop Kurt Huelsmann?? It seems to me if memory serves, XAVIER stopped the entire Dayton team 6 times in the last 2 years! Face it, you guys can recruit pretty well but once the guys get in the gym, and Gregory gets a hold of them its all over. That man cant coach!!
By Sam
April 29, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
Yeesh!Where did they get this photo? (kinda looks like a mug shot)…Great pick-up for the flyers according to his numbers. As I recall, UNLV was big on recruiting juco players in thier prime years.
By joe
April 29, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this
When teams are desperate they recruit juco players. Why was this guy playing junior college ball? Because he didn’t have the smarts to qualify for ncaa ball. Sorry.
By steve
April 29, 2008 7:18 AM | Link to this
Hey Jordan, no one is saying NCAA champs. What we are saying is that we finally have a true point guard, an All-American JUCO from their national championship team. along with Paul Williams coming in, to go along with Marcus Johnson, Chris Wright, Charles Little, this is the most athletic team we have had in quite some time.
As far as Kurt Huelsmann being mediocre, tell that to Xavier, they didn’t have a player who could stop him….this will just allow us more looks inside, great signing!
By Darell
April 29, 2008 6:26 AM | Link to this
with hard work, Benson and Lowery added to a healthy Chris Wright & co. it will be interesting. I now live in Dallas, but will always be a FLYER!!
By Duke
April 29, 2008 4:17 AM | Link to this
With Benson coming in and Lowery at the point, they bring a different mentality and athleticism that is closer to what Chris Wright has at this point. It will take a minute for Benson to get his feet wet in college ball, but when he does he will an added element. As long as Lowery is not a re-incarnation of London Warren at the point playing out of control all of the time, Dayton should be pretty decent.
By Jordan
April 28, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
NCAA CHAMPIONS!!! HAHA… NO Way! With the departure of Brian Roberts, I don’t think that this year the Flyers will be that great, just as usual. Chris Wright can only do so much, and so can Marcus Johnson. Kurt Huelsman is just a mediocre center, and London Warren can’t dribble worth crap. Charles Little sucks at free throws and shooting. Stephen Thomas, Lowery, and Searcy are nothing special. So unless Wright and CO. can pull of a miracle, then UD is in big trouble.
By Pat Hogan
April 28, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
The returning team has the ability to be a terrific defensive and rebounding team and one of the most athletic teams in our history. However, only Johnson can shoot the three pointer and all teams would play some form of zone against us. If Lowery can perform, and the freshmen are as advertised,this could be a most exciting team.
By Mongoose
April 28, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
Lowery is just what the Dr. ordered. Great job Brian on one hell of a recruiting season. This year will be very exciting.
By hst24seven
April 28, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
Rob should be able to get a better photo shot once he UD arrives.