It’s official, Big Blue Nation — BG is BACK! Brandon Garrison has announced his return to Kentucky for his junior season, bringing experience, size, and skill back to the Wildcats’ frontcourt. The 6-foot-10, 250-pound forward wrapped up his debut season in Lexington averaging 5.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in just over 17 minutes per game — showing flashes of his potential as a key contributor.
Garrison delivered several standout performances during the season, including seven double-figure scoring games. His most notable came in the NCAA Tournament against Troy, where he tallied 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals in a well-rounded effort that highlighted his versatility and physicality on both ends of the floor.
A former McDonald’s All-American from Oklahoma City, Garrison had the option to test the NBA Draft waters or explore other opportunities in the transfer portal. Instead, he’s chosen to double down on his commitment to the program and will be a central figure in Mark Pope’s new-look frontcourt. With Arizona State transfer Jayden Quaintance joining the mix, and Mo Dioubate, Malachi Moreno, Trent Noah, and Kam Williams filling in around them, Garrison is expected to take on an expanded role — possibly becoming the anchor of a deep and dynamic Kentucky frontcourt.
Pope has been vocal about his belief in Brandon Garrison’s potential, consistently praising the sophomore’s growth and long-term upside — ideally fulfilled right in Lexington. Garrison steadily developed throughout the year, showing greater confidence, court awareness, and physicality as the season progressed. With a full offseason dedicated to refining his game rather than adjusting to a new system, expectations are high for him to take a significant leap forward.
The return of veteran big man Amari Williams, entering his final year of eligibility, means Garrison will have the opportunity to learn alongside a seasoned anchor while taking on an increasingly pivotal role in the frontcourt. With the system now familiar and his role expanding, the stage is set for Garrison to flourish.
Now, it’s Brandon Garrison time. With the tools, the experience, and the trust of his coach, Garrison is poised to emerge as one of Kentucky’s breakout stars in the 2025-26 season — and Big Blue Nation will be watching every step of the way.
“Brandon is — I’m telling you, he’s fun, right?” Coach Mark Pope said during the NCAA Tournament. “He’s sometimes wrong but never in doubt. And I love that about him. That’s what you want your players to be.”
Pope didn’t hold back his admiration for Garrison’s confidence and fearless approach, praising the sophomore’s willingness to play boldly and continue evolving his skill set. “He’s doing really special things,” Pope added. “His float game has grown to the free throw line, his three-point game is really, really dangerous right now.”
With the green light from his coach and a growing offensive arsenal, Garrison’s continued development on both ends of the floor signals big things ahead. The foundation has been laid — now it’s time for him to build something special.
“His decisiveness on turning down decisions to get to the good one — he’s a high-level decision-maker for us,” Pope said, highlighting Garrison’s growing basketball IQ. “He’s got the ball in his hands. We have three cutters going at the same time and he’ll turn down, turn down, turn down, and finally choose the right one, and that’s advanced-level processing in his mind. He’s been really great.”
Garrison’s evolution from his freshman year at Oklahoma State to his sophomore campaign at Kentucky has been remarkable. After not attempting a single three-pointer in year one, he launched 40 from deep in year two — a testament to his growing confidence and versatility. While his rebounding numbers dipped slightly, his playmaking surged, all while keeping turnovers impressively low.
No longer just a traditional post player, Garrison has transformed into a modern, multifaceted big who can stretch the floor, make smart reads, and impact the game beyond the paint. His development has set the stage for what could be a breakout junior season — one where he steps fully into the spotlight as a centerpiece of Mark Pope’s vision for Kentucky basketball.
Can Brandon Garrison make the jump to superstardom the way his talent, work ethic, and evolution suggest is possible? That’s the question everyone will be watching closely — and now, we’ll get that answer with Garrison suiting up in blue and white for his junior season, not in another jersey.
The tools are there. The belief from his coach is real. And the opportunity has never been bigger.
Welcome back, BG.
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