Kyle Lowry

Lore & Background

Born and raised in North Philadelphia, Lowry is one of two sons of Marie Holloway and Lonnie Lowry Sr. alongside Lonnie Jr., his older brother by 5 years. His father lived 10 minutes away from the family's home, which also included Lowry's cousin, Laquita. Lonnie Sr. became estranged from the family when Kyle was about seven years old, leaving him and his siblings to be raised by his mom (who worked at the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Post Office) as well as his disciplinarian grandmother (who worked at Dunkin' Donuts). Kyle attributes his survival and well-being to Lonnie Jr. for ensuring that he did not follow in the same path as his childhood friends who are no longer alive, including not allowing Kyle to have any tattoos and piercings. His brother was also instrumental in teaching him how to play basketball, playing pickup basketball together against older boys, and learning not to dwell on his estranged father. His brother also searched newspaper ads for AAU basketball tryouts and ensured that Lowry would get there and make their teams.

In Their Own Story

The arena hummed with a nervous energy, the kind only found in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The clock ticked down, the score tied, and the defense swarmed. Kyle Lowry didn't panic; he simply pointed, calling out the play with a calm authority that silenced the noise around him. As the ball hit his hands near the top of the key, time seemed to slow. He drove left, drew the help, and kicked it out to an open corner shooter. The net swished. Lowry turned immediately, fists clenched, leading the charge back on defense before a single cheer could fully rise, embodying the relentless spirit of Miami.

Reader's Guide

Lowry attended Cardinal Dougherty High School in Philadelphia and played point guard for the school's varsity basketball team. Considered a five-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was listed as the No. 6 point guard and the No. 28 player in the U.S. in 2004. In his freshman season at Villanova, Lowry was named to the Big East All-Rookie team and was tabbed Philadelphia Big Five Rookie of the Year. In 24 games (3 starts), he averaged 7.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. In his sophomore season, he was named to the All-Big East Second Team, as well as the First Team All-Big 5. In 33 games (31 starts), he averaged 11.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. On February 27, 2020, Lowry's jersey no. 1 was retired by the Villanova Wildcats. Lowry was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 24th overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft. He appeared in 10 games as a rookie before suffering a broken wrist against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 21, 2006. He subsequently underwent season-ending surgery. Lowry returned for the 2007–08 season and appeared in all 82 games for the Grizzlies. The 2008–09 season saw Lowry and good friend Mike Conley Jr. compete for playing time and the starting point guard position. In January 2009, Lionel Hollins was named the team's head coach and Lowry was told that the team would devote the starter's minutes to Conley. Lowry was unhappy with his role, and some in the organization considered him a bad influence on the roster. On February 19, 2009, Lowry was traded to the Houston Rockets in a three-team deal involving the Grizzlies and the Orlando Magic. In Houston, Lowry grew to appreciate the tutelage of his new coach, Rick Adelman. With the Rockets making the playoffs in 2009, Lowry played in the postseason for the first time in his career. In 2009–10, Lowry served as the backup point guard to Aaron Brooks. On December 18, 2009, he recorded a career-high 26 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, and five steals in a 116–108 win over the Dallas Mavericks. On June 30, 2010, with his contract expiring, the Rockets extended a qualifying offer, thus making Lowry only a restricted free agent. On July 13, 2010, he signed an offer sheet with the Cleveland Cavaliers worth $23.5 million over four years. The Rockets quickly matched the offer, thus retaining Lowry. In 2010–11, Lowry started in 71 of the 75 g

Did You Know?

• Lowry won an NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019, their first and only title in franchise history.
• Lowry was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2016.
• Lowry played two seasons of college basketball with the Villanova Wildcats before being drafted 24th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2006.
• Lowry recorded his first career triple-double with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists on March 20, 2011, against the Utah Jazz.
• Lowry's jersey number 1 was retired by Villanova on February 27, 2020.