Son of Sidney Lowe Pleads Guilty

After facing a possible 23 year sentence for a dozen charges including robbery and kidnapping, the son of N.C. State basketball coach Sidney Lowe was sentenced by Guilford County Superior Court Judge Henry E. Frye Jr, to 15 months at a low security facility at a Guilford County prison farm.

Judge Frye Jr. had original sentenced Sidney Lowe II to 11 years in prison but then suspended the sentence to 15 months with five years probation.

The elder Lowe who played college basketball for N.C. State's 1983 NCAA championship team and later in the NBA, took the stand on Tuesday to discuss his son’s legal issues and made a tearful plea for the court to have leniency.

"Obviously I love my son," the coach Lowe said. "I feel sorry for the victims ... but that wasn't my son. If given an opportunity, if given a second chance, I know he can be a very productive person in society."

"I ask the court to have mercy on him and give him a second chance."

In his testimony, Lowe senior spoke about the numerous times he was absent from his son’s life because of his time in the NBA and the long road stretches.

"Someone once asked Sid what I do for a living," Lowe said. "He said, 'My dad works at the airport,' because I was always flying off somewhere."
A doctor later testified that many of Lowe II’s issues could be attributed to his father being an NBA player and Wolfpack standout which had an adverse effect on Lowe II.

"I was trying to separate from my father," he said. "I think it took this long to realize who I was, who I am -- that I matter to so many people."

Lowe II pleaded guilty to possessing marijuana, Ecstasy, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, and six counts each of robbery with a dangerous weapon and second-degree kidnapping. Almost of the charges are from a home invasion that took place back in March.

Now is the time to take advantage of the college basketball odds at Bodog sportsbook for betting on the North Carolina Wolfpack. Bodog currently has NC State at 150/1 odds to win the 2009 NCAA championship.