The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER leaving his fingerprints on Western Oklahoma State College for the past two seasons, Bahamian Richard Lowe has committed to taking his talent to Northwood University to play for the Timberwolves men’s basketball team.

Lowe, a 2020 graduate of Doris Johnson Secondary High where he played for the Mystic Marlins senior boys basketball team under coach Denycko Bowles, will be graduating on Friday with his associate’s degree in liberal arts.

After coming home to celebrate with his family and friends this summer, Lowe said he’s eager to return to the United States to begin his final two years of eligibility with Northwood University in August.

Lowe, however, admitted that he was surprised during COVID-19 that coach Bowles reached out to him and informed him that he had gotten a deal for him to play at Western Oklahoma State.

His freshman season was not what he anticipated as the Pioneers went 1-12 as he averaged 13 points and nine rebounds per game.

But the 6-foot, 8-inch Lowe, who plays power forward and centre, said during the summer, his coach Rolando De La Barrera took him to an All-American Junior College showcase where he played against the top 20 division II players in the USA. That enabled him to sharpen his game as he helped Western Oklahoma to improve to 6-9 as they advanced to the conference final where they lost. Lowe, who averaged 12.5 points and 10.9 rebounds, joined two other members of the Pioneers in making the NJCAA Region II Third Team All-Conference honors.

In comparison to Western Oklahoma, Lowe said he liked the small atmosphere Northwood University, and it came with a full two-year athletic scholarship, so there was no way that Lowe was turning down the offer.

“They gave me an opportunity, so I took it,” Lowe said. “I sat down and I talked to my coach, Lonnie Griffin, and he said when I come in, he expects me to be one of the leaders because of my maturity as a player.

“They have recruited a lot of young players out of high school and they don’t know what it takes to play at the collegiate level yet, so he wants me to help lead the young guys, keep them on the right track and provide the leadership to push the other players along.”

Northwood University, based in Canton, Ohio and they play out of the G-MAC where they finished the season with a 2-26 record, so the 22-year-old Lowe will have his work cut out for him when he suits up for the Timberwolves.

Lowe, by the way, will be the first in his family to graduate from college and when he heads to Northwood Academy, he intent to pursue another degree in sports management and entrepreneurship.

As the son of Dellareese and Richard Lowe Sr, Lowe Jr has three sisters, but none of them have participated in sports. He said he also hope that his graduation will inspire other members of his family to pursue their higher education.

On making the transition to college, Lowe admitted that he was nervous at first because he didn’t know what to expect.

“Most people when they leave here for school, they go to areas where it’s highly populated, but I kind of enjoyed being in the environment that I found myself in,” he said.

“I learn more about life and taking care of myself because I found myself in a totally different environment being away from my family and friends. But it was a good learning experience for me.”

He thanked his family, coach Bowles, Doris Johnson Secondary High, his friends and especially Keith Sands and Ms Hanna from JS Johnson for their support in getting him to the level he’s at right now.