Mark Pope rally behind Brandon Garrison’s potential position because the chief of the Wildcats

Kentucky head coach Mark Pope has thrown his assist behind sophomore massive man Brandon Garrison as a key chief for the Wildcats heading into the 2025-26 season.

With six seniors, Ansley Almonor, Koby Brea, Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr, Jaxson Robinson and Amari Williams, all exiting after exhausting their eligibility, the necessity for returning management has by no means been larger. At a media debrief on Could 13, Pope highlighted Garrison as a standout candidate to step up.

“He must be a pacesetter,” Pope mentioned. “I’m actually pleased with him, how he’s approached this offseason. He’s been actually hungry. He’s been working actually exhausting.”

Pope emphasised that Garrison’s expertise and understanding of this system now make him an anchor for the youthful gamers.

“His job now as a returning participant is to return train all the opposite guys — whether or not they’re extra senior than him or not,” Pope added. “He is aware of what we do, is aware of how we do it, is aware of the expectation, is aware of the usual.”

Garrison, who transferred to Kentucky forward of the 2024-25 season after a freshman yr at Oklahoma State, quietly grew into his position throughout the marketing campaign. Whereas the Wildcats have been loaded with skilled seniors, Garrison acquired minutes as a result of his physicality and rim safety.

“It was actually enjoyable within the final month of the season to see him begin to tackle some management position,” Pope mentioned. “You began to listen to his voice extra. You began to really feel his depth just a little bit extra. He’s modified, like he’s grown. It’s been superior.”

Now, with a fresh-looking roster and a full yr of Kentucky expertise underneath his belt, Garrison seems poised to change into the vocal and emotional core of Pope’s new-look squad.

Mark Pope highlights Brandon Garrison’s position with incoming transfers

Garrison is stepping up in additional methods than one at Kentucky, with head coach Pope praising his management throughout current switch visits.

“We had 4 new coming gamers on official visits altogether; it was a very enjoyable weekend,” Pope mentioned. “We had the blokes in my home for an extended breakfast and form of hang around. Brandon Garrison got here, and it was actually enjoyable to look at him holding court docket with these 4 guys.”

Garrison made an impression by taking time to information the newcomers.

“He form of went out of his technique to come over after which sit with these guys and form of discuss to them about what it’s and what it’s like and what it requires,” Pope shared.

“They consider Brandon Garrison as being a giant brother proper now. … he’s going to be actually good.”

Whereas the ahead didn’t begin for Kentucky in his debut season, Brandon Garrison made 35 appearances, averaging 5.9 factors, 3.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per sport.