Junior Brandon Garrison at the UK Father-Son Camp. (Vicky Graff Photo)
By LARRY VAUGHT
When Kentucky’s season ended with a loss to Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen, there was speculation that sophomore Brandon Garrison might contemplate transferring or even putting his name into the NBA Draft to test the process.
Instead, Garrison talked to his agent and UK coach Mark Pope and decided that Kentucky “was still home” for him.
“My head was still playing for Coach Pope another year at Kentucky,” Garrison said Tuesday during a UK media opportunity.
Garrison transferred from Oklahoma State after his freshman season to play for Pope’s first team at Kentucky. He knows playing a second season under Pope will be a lot easier because of the lessons he learned last year.
“I thought it helped me a lot that I didn’t have to learn the staff again and learn a new coach,” Garrison said. “I feel like it is always good for players to come back for another year under the same coach. I feel like he’ll help. He runs stuff, so I feel like it was a good thing for me.
Pope often talks about players making major development gains during their second season. Garrison believed the coach and assistant coach, Mikhail McLean, kept in touch after the season ended to emphasize that point. Garrison even sees himself being a mentor for UK’s freshmen and transfers because he has a “good feel” for what Pope demands.
“I can teach the incoming guys how things work around here,” Garrison said.
One Response
At first I thought BG was going to be a one and done. I just didn’t understand his vibe. I thought he was a thug type player but he’s really the farthest thing from it. He’s A great father, and just that alone is undervalued these days. He’s also a great leader and was a great recruiter for Kentucky this past offseason. He has helped Pope tremendously selling the Kentucky jersey. I would love to see him take a giant step forward this year. He has a great personality and could become a leader on our team for the next couple of years. People seem to not like the guy who always has problems or beef with the other teams. I always like the villain. He single handedly took on Louisvilles whole bench. I loved it. The Louisville players looked shocked. I love it because it shows he’s super competitive. He wants to win. I would rather see guys like that fighting for there team. Then softies who tuck it in and run. BG is going to be a fan favorite when its all said and done and he will eventually win a championship at Kentucky. I can see us have a final 4 run this year and get most of our team back to completely dominate in 26-27. If we get 8-9 guys back off of this team which we have 12 guys with more than one year of eligibility left. I know this will be JQs last ride. So there’s 11 back. Lowe will be a 50/50 decision. Just say he leaves there’s 10 guys back. At least one of the freshman will probably leave of the 4. There’s 9 guys back. If we could get BG Mo-D Johnson Chandler Noah Potter Williams Hawthorne Moreno and Jelavic back that’s 10 like I said probably at least one freshman will transfer pick or choose one and you have the most players to come back in the portal era with even 8 guys back. That looks like a preseason #1 team. You really don’t even need to add anyone unless they are either a top 20 high school recruit or if they will add better depth to your team. The starters Johnson/Chandler/Williams/Jelavic/BG will be unstoppable then you have Moreno as the backup for BG Potter as the backup for Jelavic Noah the backup for Williams then Hawthorne the backup for Chandler. All you need is another point guard and another 2 guard so you can put all your chips in on 2-3 great recruits and then championship!!