Everything is going as planned for Mark Pope and Brandon Garrison.

When Mark Pope took over as head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, there was understandable skepticism about how quickly the former BYU coach could galvanize one of college basketball’s most demanding programs. Kentucky fans aren’t patient. They want results, and they want them now. But just months into Pope’s tenure, things are already looking up. One of the brightest signals of progress has come in the form of former Oklahoma State center Brandon Garrison, who committed to the Wildcats via the transfer portal—and everything about the relationship between coach and player suggests things are going exactly as planned.

Garrison, a 6-foot-11, 245-pound big man from Oklahoma City, was one of the most sought-after names in the portal. As a former McDonald’s All-American and Team USA U18 gold medalist, Garrison entered the college ranks with a substantial pedigree. Despite a turbulent season for Oklahoma State—one that ultimately led to head coach Mike Boynton’s firing—Garrison still showed considerable promise. He averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 22.7 minutes per game, all while battling double teams and defensive schemes designed to shut him down.

But more important than his stats is what Garrison represents: a new foundation piece for Kentucky. And more importantly, a foundational match for Mark Pope’s system. The former BYU coach favors an up-tempo offense, positionless movement, and a reliance on bigs who can not only defend the rim but also stretch the floor. Garrison is not just a back-to-the-basket big; he’s an intelligent player with vision, timing, and upside as a modern hybrid five.

It’s that blend of intelligence and physicality that makes Garrison such a critical piece of Pope’s vision for Kentucky’s identity moving forward.

Garrison’s arrival at Kentucky feels like a graduation of sorts. Oklahoma State was the launching pad, but Lexington is where he intends to take flight. The decision to transfer wasn’t just about improving his platform or seeking more national exposure—it was about development.

He made that much clear when he spoke publicly after his commitment: “Coach Pope has a plan. He knows how to get the most out of bigs, and he’s someone I trust to elevate my game to the next level.”

For Pope, landing Garrison was more than just a win in the portal. It was a statement of credibility. When he was hired, skeptics questioned whether Pope could maintain Kentucky’s blue-blood recruiting standards. He quickly silenced those doubts by targeting—and landing—players like Garrison, who could have gone just about anywhere.

This wasn’t just a good fit. It was a mutual investment: Garrison in Pope, and Pope in Garrison.

Mark Pope’s offense thrives when anchored by a skilled, physical big. At BYU, he leaned on players like Fousseyni Traore and Richard Harward, using their ability to rim-run, rebound, and screen as the engine for a modern offense that spread the floor and shot a high volume of threes.

Garrison fits the blueprint—but with a higher ceiling. While not a shooter yet, he’s a willing passer, a strong communicator, and an exceptional defender in space. His footwork and positioning suggest he can eventually become a stretch five or a short-roll facilitator. Pope is betting big on those intangibles.

Sources close to the program say Pope has already begun crafting schemes that prioritize Garrison as a two-way anchor. Expect Garrison to be involved in high pick-and-roll action, short corner sets, and even initiating handoffs from the elbows. Kentucky’s offense will resemble a blend of NBA-style movement and traditional SEC physicality, and Garrison is the bridge.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this new Kentucky direction is how rapidly Pope has stabilized the program’s culture. After the dramatic exit of John Calipari and the chaotic nature of recent seasons filled with one-and-done inconsistency, Garrison offers maturity and consistency that’s been missing from Kentucky’s locker room.

He’s not flashy, but he’s reliable. And that’s exactly what Pope wants his players to emulate.

“Brandon’s one of the most coachable, high-character young men I’ve ever been around,” one Kentucky assistant told The Athletic. “He’s going to be a leader from day one, and he’s already pushing our other guys in practice.”

That leadership is important not just for this season, but for Pope’s overall plan. He’s not looking for stopgaps or placeholders—he wants pillars. Garrison, who still has multiple years of eligibility, represents a foundation for long-term success, not just a quick fix.

While the season hasn’t started, early feedback from practices and team scrimmages has been glowing. Garrison has reportedly been the most consistent two-way presence on the floor, routinely dominating in rebounding drills and proving capable of switching on to guards in pick-and-roll defense.

Offensively, he’s shown polish with his post moves and has added a mid-range jumper that looks more fluid than it did during his freshman year at Oklahoma State.

One team insider noted: “The guy is a worker. Every single day. He’s in the gym early. He asks questions. He wants to be coached. There’s no ego.”

Those traits have been infectious. Young players, transfers, and even Pope himself are feeding off Garrison’s quiet intensity. It’s no surprise Pope made Garrison one of the faces of the program during offseason promotional events. He’s not just performing—he’s embodying the new Wildcat way.

Garrison’s decision to transfer to Kentucky is already paying dividends beyond his on-court presence. His commitment sent a clear message to other high-level transfers and recruits: Mark Pope is building something serious in Lexington.

Several top transfer targets have cited Garrison’s decision as a validating moment. The buzz around Pope’s ability to create a player-friendly development system—particularly for bigs—is spreading fast. And it’s not just talk.

Kentucky has already brought in sharpshooting wing Kerr Kriisa and is rumored to be in the mix for multiple Top 100 freshmen. The narrative has flipped from doubt to belief.

And much of that stems from how seamlessly Garrison has fit into the program. He’s given Pope credibility in recruiting rooms, and he’s given the coaching staff a player who makes everyone around him better.

For Brandon Garrison, this year isn’t just about helping Kentucky win—it’s about showing NBA scouts that he belongs in the league. And Pope is helping craft a showcase that will do just that.

While his numbers may not explode into 20-point territory, scouts aren’t looking for box score dominance. They’re watching how Garrison defends in space, how he communicates on the floor, how he finishes through contact, and how he processes offensive flow. He’s projected as a Day 1 or 2 NBA Draft candidate, depending on how his jumper develops and how Kentucky performs.

And in that sense, the partnership with Pope is mutually beneficial. A strong year for Garrison means a strong year for Kentucky—and vice versa.

What’s clear in all of this is that there’s no gimmickry to Pope’s approach. He’s not trying to reinvent Kentucky overnight or rely on flashy portal tricks. He’s focusing on development, buy-in, and chemistry. And Garrison embodies all three.

Together, they’re building something that looks sustainable. Something with legs.

In many ways, Pope and Garrison are kindred spirits: both underrated nationally, both process-driven, both determined to prove they belong at the highest levels of college basketball.

Kentucky basketball is entering a new era, and at the center of it is a 6-foot-11 forward with a work ethic that mirrors the aspirations of his new head coach. Brandon Garrison didn’t come to Lexington for fame—he came for growth. And Mark Pope didn’t take this job for a paycheck—he came to win the right way.

In each other, they’ve found perfect partners for a rebuild that isn’t actually rebuilding—it’s retooling. It’s setting the tone for the next great phase of Kentucky basketball. And if these early months are any indication, the Wildcats might not be far from returning to national dominance.