(BCSNN) - Kentucky suffered a significant setback Monday as head coach Mark Pope announced that freshman guard Jaland Lowe will miss the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury that will require surgery.

Lowe appeared in nine games for the Wildcats, averaging 8.0 points and 2.4 assists per contest. He delivered a breakout performance on Jan. 3 at Alabama, scoring a season‑high 21 points, and earned his first start of the season four days later against Missouri.

The Missouri City, Texas native played a pivotal role in Kentucky’s comeback upset of No. 22 St. John’s on Dec. 20, contributing 13 points, five rebounds, and two assists, all after halftime.

Kentucky returns to action Wednesday on the road at LSU. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network.