Collin Chandler (UK Athletics Photo)
Collin Chandler had no intention of leaving Kentucky following his freshman campaign with the Wildcats.
The sophomore guard decided to stay true to his roots as he pondered his future plans on and off the court.
“I think there’s a lot of different aspects to the game of basketball right now, and I’ve always been taught loyalty from my dad, but you’re also taught to do what’s best for you and your career,” he said earlier this week. “I was very prayerful about what I’m always thinking about, what is God’s plan for me. What’s the bigger plan for me?
“I love my time here in Kentucky, and through lots of prayer, and because you have to, you have to figure out what’s best for you in your life and where you’re supposed to be for purposes, maybe greater than basketball. I believe there are purposes for being here that are greater than basketball, but I feel, and I know, that I’m supposed to be here. I was pretty sure about that (during the) off-season.”
Chandler, who made solid contributions for Kentucky down the stretch, added that being familiar with his surroundings is another reason he opted to stay in Lexington.
“I feel like I know my environment a little bit better,” he said. “I was coming in a little bit blind last year about what to expect. Coming home as a missionary is a whirlwind, life-changing, as well as playing basketball for the first time (in a long time), and then also playing basketball at a very high level. I didn’t know what to expect or how to go about it.”
During the off-season, Chandler also took an experienced approach and knew “exactly what I’m supposed to be working on.”
“I know what I can do. I have a lot of experience on the court for what I can do and things I can get better at. So, I think I have a lot better vision of what I need to do. I think that’s the biggest difference. In basketball, what’s required to be a good player and getting better is stacking days — just coming in one day after another and stacking those.”
7 Responses
I think he is going to be a good one. Also, one we can be proud of.
Chandler is good enough to start at a lot of schools and get major minutes at many more. Unfortunately, that will not be the case this year at Kentucky unless someone gets hurt. The same applies to Noah as well. They are already being over recruited in the 2026/27 campaign. Will they be content to finish their careers as "just in case of injury" reserves or will they hit the portal for more PT to enhance their pro career aspirations? I have no idea. A team cannot win a national championship without players like Chandler and Noah though. If they stay at UK, they should be heralded for the sacrifice they chose to make. If they leave, you can’t blame them and I will wish them the best if that happens.
Your exactly right but I don’t know think they’ve been recruited over at this point. Its Popes second year and he has to continue to upgrade the roster. Now at the end of this year if Pope brings in transfers at there positions then they are being recruited over. At this point since we are hardly losing anyone and could retain 9-10 guys off this team. He could start recruiting just freshman. If Chandler and Noah can’t beat freshman out as juniors next year then they arent progressing like they should. I do believe the first 2 years on the job you have to bring in the best guys you can possibly bring in. What if Noah and Chandler were both starters this year? I think that would mean we aren’t going to be very good. They only averaged 2 points a game as freshman. Yes they didn’t get alot of playing time but that’s the norm now unless your a one and done freshman there is really no pressure to play them unless they earn it in practice and Pope knows practice because he’s there witnessing who is out playing who. This is why I believe Perry and Noah should have been redshirted. If your not going to play them then save a year of eligibility for when they are ready. Why burn a year to play in some games because of injuries then when those guys aren’t injured anymore the playing time goes away. I can also see Popes side on this he really didn’t have a choice but to play them. Noah looked more ready then Perry did. Perry hadn a bunch of silly turnovers and he wasn’t good at creating his own shot. Which in Popes offense he loves to spread the court for one on ones. If you can’t create a shot in his offense he won’t play you. Or if you need special treatment just to be able to get a shot off you might think about playing for a smaller school If its playing time there after.
Chandler will be the face of Kentucky basketball next year. He will get playing time this year. Potter and Hawthorne seem like the odd 2 out at this moment. With Moreno or Jelavic possibly being the 12th man. I think Noah is the 10th man at this point which he will play. Chandler is probably the 7th-8th man so he will get more playing time this year. Probably about 12-17 minutes per game. Noah probably a similar role to Almonor last year.
All I can say is I love ALL our guys and wish we could have a starting 10 players. Wouldn’t that be a hoot. Seriously, I hope all our guys get what they wish for and more. I love love UK. GO CATS!
Chandler and Noah will get more playing time than some people think in my opinion.
You seem to be the only one who thinks that 79. It is not a knock on either, but a statement as to how good the team is. Perry saw it and decided he would rather have a better shot at playing than staying where he knew he wouldn’t. I hope Perry didn’t jump out of the pan and into the fire.