Brandon Garrison returns to anchor UK's front court next season. (Vicky Graff Photo)
His son might be an incoming guard on coach Mark Pope’s team at Kentucky but Dennis Johnson is already a big believer in the front court players that the Wildcats will have next season.
Jasper Johnson is a five-star guard who excelled at Overtime Elite last season but Dennis Johnson, a former UK all-SEC defensive lineman, loves the group of Arizona State transfer Jayden Quaintance, returning junior Brandon Garrison, Alabama transfer Mo Dioubate, Croatian forward Andrija Jelavic and four-star freshman Malachi Moreno of state champion Great Crossing.
He already knew plenty about Quaintance because he played on the same AAU team with Jasper Johnson and he’s obviously seen Moreno play a lot the last few years in Kentucky.
I think our front court is going to be second to none,” Dennis Johnson, the athletics director and head football coach at Woodford County, said on WLAP Sunday Morning Sports Talk. “I got to know JQ when we played with Team Thad (on the Nike EYBL circuit). He’s a talent.
“Malachi had a great week at the Nike Hoop Summit. One thing I’ll say about Malachi is that he didn’t go outside of his cage, didn’t try to score 20 (points). He blocks shots — he comes in the scrimmage, blocks two shots, grabs two or three rebounds, aggressive, outlets the ball. In a year or so, we’ll be able to run the point center through him.”
That’s what Pope did with Amari Williams this season and Moreno also has elite passing skills for a 7-foot player just like Williams did.
Pitt transfer Jaland Lowe seems to be the future point guard and has two years of eligibility left after transferring to Kentucky.
“I like the Lowe kid — I got a chance to watch a lot of film on him. I wish Acaden (Lewis) wouldn’t have left (via de-commitment), I wish he was still committed. I got to be with his father this weekend (at the Jordan Brand Classic), but people have to do what’s best for themselves,” Dennis Johnson said.
“But I like it, I think Trent Noah and Travis (Perry), those guys, they’re going to get better and work hard. I think this is going to be a great roster.”
Obviously Perry has now put his name in the transfer portal and won’t be at UK but Pope still has Florida transfer Denzel Aberdeen and returnees Collin Chandler and Otega Oweh to play in the backcourt.
Dennis Johnson believes Pope has done a “phenomenal job” putting the 2025-26 roster together.
“I’m probably a little gun-shy knowing how many injuries we had last year, but we loaded up. I love the roster as it sits right now,” Dennis Johnson said.
4 Responses
It’s doubtful that Quaintance will be ready to play until SEC play begins, so Garrison and Moreno get to make their case for continued playing time once he is game ready. Defense and rebounding will be key for Garrison. Is he capable of producing multiple double/double games? Can he be an efficient passer? Last year, he showed some promise from the arc; can he be a reliable 3 point threat this year? Can he block shots and avoid silly fouls?
Does Moreno have the chops for physical play? How about Jelavic? Hopefully, Dioubate will get more time at the 3 spot where he will be a nightmare matchup. It would be nice to find another 3 point threat at the 4 spot who also defends and rebounds. We have the firepower from the back court players where there will not be enough minutes to keep everyone happy. We need more beef!
I believe Garrison will take a major step forward his junior year like Oweh did in his junior year. Garrison only played about 19 minutes per game which should jump up to about 25-27 minutes per game. His averages for such limited playing time is above average. I think you can run a package were both Garrison and JQ are on the floor at the same time. Or run a platoon system and split your best players up on both platoons which I think ultimately happens. It has to happen. We are literally 12 deep with Oweh. We could still go after the best available talent that is out there. I don’t think you ever second fiddle yourself and say I’m going after someone long term because long term doesn’t happen anymore. He needs to use his last scholarship wisely. I’m sure there is a senior who would love to play on the team but would have to earn a role. I wasn’t Sold on Jasper Johnson at first but after watching him play I’m completely sold and think he could start over Aberdeen. I just hope Jasper is willing to stay 2 years because I think he can be good his freshman year and great his sophomore year. He’s a worker and works very hard at his craft. Oweh will clearly be the star and Lowe will probably be second in scoring so his tike will clearly come I just think it will be a 2 year process. Pope has set this team up to be even better in 2026-2027. We could literally get everyone back except for Aberdeen and Oweh. If everyone improves and most everyone comes back we will be headlined to win the 2027 championship as well. This years team has a championship ceiling with a elite 8 floor. There is nothing that should stop them from at least going to the elite 8 or final 4. I just hope this team shares the ball. When we don’t share the ball Popes system is broken and it doesn’t work. So I just hope this team has a team first philosophy!
Can you say Chol Machot? A 7 footer who is a good 3 point shooter. He just decommitted from Miss. St. He would be the perfect stretch 4 that we need to back up Jelavic.
That would be a excellent pickup. We would have the deepest front court of all time. I know JQ is going to be special and he could be ready in early December but I think there is no way he’s practicing in September. Its not the injury itself its the mind that tells you that you have to be careful all the time. Because there is almost no coming back off of 2 acl tears and its always in the mind especially 8-9 months from the surgery. December will be 9 months so it could be into SEC play before he even gets close to 100%. Chol Machot would definitely soften the blow in case of a late comeback from JQ. We also don’t know what we are getting from the Croatian and Moreno will only be a freshman tho I expect him to be better than advertised. We will be very young in the front court with Garrison and MoD Juniors on the block.