At Kentucky, Brandon Garrison will have a memorable second season in a new position.

Brandon Garrison’s journey to Kentucky was one defined by promise, grit, and transformation. Coming out of high school as a highly regarded prospect, he carried the type of raw potential that excited college basketball scouts and energized fan bases. Now, heading into his second season with the Kentucky Wildcats, the anticipation surrounding Garrison has grown—not only because of his individual development but also because of the shift in his role within the team. His transition to a new position is poised to reshape both his personal trajectory and the dynamics of a Kentucky squad with championship aspirations.

When Garrison first stepped onto the court in Lexington, the expectations were measured. Freshmen in college basketball, especially big men, often face a steep learning curve. The game is faster, the opponents stronger, and the schemes far more intricate than anything seen at the high school level. In his freshman year, Garrison was primarily deployed in a traditional post role. He was a rim protector, a rebounder, and a physical presence inside. His responsibilities were mostly confined to the paint, where his 6’9″ frame and impressive wingspan allowed him to hold his own. Although he had flashes of brilliance, the learning process was evident. There were games where he struggled with foul trouble, missed rotations, or hesitated on offensive possessions. Yet even through those inconsistencies, the coaching staff saw glimpses of the player Garrison could become.

Behind the scenes, Garrison was putting in the work. His practice habits became a point of pride for the staff. Whether it was early-morning workouts or late-night shooting sessions, he demonstrated the type of commitment that suggested his ceiling was far from being reached. His strength improved, his footwork became more refined, and he began to understand the flow of the college game. But more than anything, what stood out was his growing confidence in facing up to the basket and handling the ball in space—an element that would become central to the transformation in his role heading into his sophomore campaign.

The 2025 season began with whispers from inside the Kentucky program that Garrison would no longer be tethered strictly to the center position. Instead, there was talk of him sliding into a more hybrid forward role, one that allowed him to operate on the perimeter, initiate offense at times, and take advantage of mismatches. This wasn’t merely an experiment; it was the product of months of observation, reflection, and strategic planning by the coaching staff. They believed that Garrison’s skill set was evolving in a direction that could redefine his impact on the court.

The new role came with new responsibilities. No longer was Garrison simply expected to set screens and clean up on the glass. Now, he was being asked to stretch the floor, read defenses on the fly, and make plays off the dribble. This was uncharted territory for the sophomore, but the early results were promising. During summer workouts and closed-door scrimmages, he displayed a surprisingly smooth shooting stroke from mid-range and even beyond the arc. His passing, once considered a weakness, improved to the point where he became a legitimate secondary facilitator. The staff’s gamble appeared to be paying off.

As the season kicked off, it became evident to fans and analysts alike that Garrison had turned a corner. In the opening games, his stat lines were balanced and efficient—double-doubles, multiple assists, a couple of steals, and consistently strong defensive performances. But more than numbers, it was his presence that had changed. There was a new fluidity to his game, a poise that came from knowing he was trusted to do more. On one possession he might bring the ball up the court, initiate a high pick-and-roll, and deliver a pinpoint pass to a cutting guard. On another, he’d drift to the corner and calmly knock down a three, forcing defenses to rethink how they covered Kentucky’s frontcourt.