Scouting and Highlights: Drew Lowder (2019)
Sophomore point guard Drew Lowder (Ann Arbor Pioneer) is one of the most promising underclassmen in the state right now. He was the best player on the floor in Pioneer’s 56-42 victory over Detroit Edison. He finished with 10 points,…
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Continue ReadingSophomore point guard Drew Lowder (Ann Arbor Pioneer) is one of the most promising underclassmen in the state right now. He was the best player on the floor in Pioneer’s 56-42 victory over Detroit Edison. He finished with 10 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. While his offensive stats were by no means extraordinary, his defense was very impressive. Simply put, the dude has serious clamps. He was pressuring Edison’s guards the entire game, forcing turnovers and disrupting their offense. He was so dominant on defense that he forced four 5-second calls.
Lowder has high major D1 talent, but is only 5’8″. Since he’s so good at pressure defense and keeping his man in front of him, he will be able to defend bigger, stronger guards. Unless he grows, however, a realistic expectation for him will be mid major.
Here’s my thoughts on Lowder’s game:
Strengths:
Spot-up shooter – Looked smooth and comfortable. He can hit from three point range consistently. Showed that he’s comfortable shooting with taller defenders closing out on him.
Defense – This is the strongest part of Lowder’s game. I can’t praise him enough for his effort and intensity on the defensive end. Although he is short, his great footwork and ability to pressure while keeping his man in front of him will make up for that fact. It’s important to note he is only a sophomore so if he grows at all or adds weight it will only make his defense that much better.
Getting to the rim – Lowder has a knack for getting past his defender and getting into the lane. When pressured fullcourt, he’s capable of blowing by his defender going coast-to-coast for a finish. He finishes well for a 5’8″ guard.
Playmaker – Lowder is better when he is creating for his teammates. He has a good set of handles and is strong with the ball, but more importantly he has good vision and sets up his teammates well. He is a solid all-around point guard.
Areas For Development:
Vertical – Finishing in the lane will be extremely difficult for Lowder since he is 5’8″. While it’s certainly not necessary to be able to jump and finish at the rim to play at a high level, it’s very helpful. An above average vertical would also help Lowder on the defensive end as well as on the glass.
Range – At his height, having range that extends several feet behind the three point line would be a huge advantage. He already has the speed and handles to blow by defenders, so if he could develop “Curry range” he could become a serious scoring threat at any time.