Kentucky’s Garrison Returns for Pope’s Second Season – A Key Piece for Wildcats’ March

Lexington, KY – Rising junior forward Brandon Garrison has solidified his commitment to Kentucky basketball, announcing his return to coach Mark Pope and the Wildcats for the upcoming 2025-26 season. The news, revealed via a post on his Instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/brando2wavvyyy/), underscores Pope’s focus on continuity and building upon the team’s progress.

Following a disappointing 78-65 loss to Tennessee in the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball March Madness tournament, coach Mark Pope expressed confidence in his players, stating, “We’ll be talking about these guys 10 years from now.” Garrison’s return represents a significant step towards achieving that vision.

Garrison’s Contributions in 2024-25

Throughout the 2024-25 season, Garrison proved to be a reliable contributor off the bench for the Wildcats. The 6-foot-10, 250-pound Oklahoma native appeared in 35 of UK’s 36 games, predominantly backing up starting center Amari Williams. His performance statistics highlighted his value:

• Points Per Game: 5.9
• Rebounds Per Game: 3.9
• Assists Per Game: 1.9

Garrison consistently scored in double figures, achieving that feat seven times during the season. He also displayed notable defensive prowess, leading the team in blocks for seven games and in steals on seven additional occasions. His highest scoring performance occurred against South Carolina on February 8, where he recorded 15 points, matching that total against LSU on March 4.“We’ll be talking about these guys 10 years from now,” Pope declared.

Notably, Garrison registered a season-high nine rebounds in Kentucky’s dramatic overtime victory over Gonzaga in Seattle on December 7. This performance underscored his rebounding capabilities, demonstrating his ability to control the paint.

Background and Previous Experience

Prior to joining the Kentucky program, Garrison spent a season at Oklahoma State. During his time with the Cowboys, he averaged 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in 29 starts. A McDonald’s All-American in 2023, Garrison also led Del City High School to a Class 5A state championship in 2021 and a state title in 2023. Garrison’s final high-school performance highlighted by a 17-point, 16-rebound performance.

Interestingly, during his sophomore year, Garrison’s career highs in points (21) and free throw attempts (12) came during a victory against Pope’s former employer, BYU, in February 2024.

Looking Ahead

Garrison’s return provides Kentucky basketball with a solidified piece of their roster as they look to build momentum heading into the 2025 season. His experience and versatility will undoubtedly be valuable assets to Pope’s coaching staff.

Ryan Black – 247Sports.news