“From Promise to Potential: Mark Pope’s 2-Year Plan for Brandon Garrison Enters the Defining Stage at Kentucky”

When Brandon Garrison committed to Kentucky as a former McDonald’s All-American, he wasn’t looking for instant stardom. He was looking for growth. And Mark Pope, in his meticulous, future-focused approach to player development, pitched him exactly that: a two-year plan that would mold him from a raw but gifted post prospect into one of the SEC’s most polished big men.

Now, as Garrison enters Year 2 in Lexington, the blueprint that was once only a vision is beginning to materialize. And for both Garrison and Pope, the stakes—and the expectations—are rising.

When Mark Pope took over as Kentucky’s head coach, he knew he wouldn’t land every five-star prospect with NBA-ready polish. But he could appeal to elite talent with potential—players like Garrison, who weren’t just looking to bounce to the pros after one season, but rather develop their full game in a system designed to highlight their strengths and strengthen their weaknesses.

Garrison fit that mold perfectly. A 6-foot-9 forward out of Oklahoma City, he came to Kentucky with high-school accolades and national recognition but remained relatively raw offensively. He could defend, rebound, and run the floor with purpose. What he needed was refinement—and patience.

Pope promised both.

“He sat down with me and laid it out,” Garrison recalled in a recent interview. “He said, ‘I see you making a major leap in Year 2—being someone we build around.’ That stuck with me. He wasn’t selling a dream; he was offering a plan.”

Brandon Garrison’s freshman campaign was one of growth through challenge. On a team flush with young talent and upperclassmen transfers, carving out consistent minutes wasn’t always easy. But Pope never wavered in his message: Year 1 was about learning the game at the college level—adapting to the speed, understanding the physicality, and mastering the defensive concepts that form the foundation of Pope’s system.

Statistically, Garrison’s freshman year was modest. He averaged 5.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in just under 17 minutes per game. But raw numbers never told the full story. He became a reliable rim protector off the bench, showcased strong effort on the glass, and earned trust with his willingness to do the dirty work.

“Brandon was never about the headlines,” Pope said. “He was about the work. That’s what made me so confident that Year 2 would be his moment.”

Between his freshman and sophomore seasons, Garrison committed to the weight room and to reshaping his offensive game. He added 12 pounds of muscle, improved his lateral quickness, and developed a more consistent mid-range jumper—an area Pope pinpointed as crucial for his evolution.

“We needed Brandon to be more than just a defensive anchor,” Kentucky assistant coach Cody Fueger said. “He had to become someone who could stretch the floor a little, make reads out of the high post, and even finish with both hands inside. He’s made big strides.”

Garrison also spent the offseason studying tape—not just of his own performances but of NBA bigs who flourished in similar systems. He studied Bam Adebayo’s pick-and-roll footwork, Al Horford’s defensive rotations, and Draymond Green’s decision-making in the short roll.

“It’s not just about how high you can jump or how many blocks you get,” Garrison said. “It’s about understanding the game—and I feel like I’m seeing things I didn’t see a year ago.”

Now that Year 2 has arrived, the role Garrison once dreamed about is within reach. Pope has hinted that Garrison will enter the season as a likely starter, anchoring the paint while also being more involved in the offense. The Wildcats, looking to reassert themselves atop the SEC, are counting on internal development—and Garrison may be the face of that philosophy.

“He’s our bridge between the young guys and the vets,” Pope said. “He’s been through it. He knows what the league looks like, and now he has the confidence and skill to impact games in more ways.”

Expect Garrison’s usage rate to increase, particularly in pick-and-roll sets and as a trailer in transition. His rebounding numbers are also projected to rise, with Pope challenging him to average a double-double.

But perhaps most importantly, his leadership voice is starting to emerge.

“He’s talking more, directing guys, calling out switches,” sophomore wing Trey Mitchell said. “Last year he was a quiet guy just trying to earn his spot. Now, he walks into the gym like it’s his team too.”Garrison’s story is emblematic of what Mark Pope hopes will become the cornerstone of his Kentucky tenure: development through strategic planning, not just raw recruiting firepower.

“We’re not chasing one-and-done numbers here,” Pope said. “We’re building careers. Brandon is proof that you can still be a five-star talent and take the time to build a complete game.”

This philosophy may mark a slight shift from the Calipari era, where one-year stardom often overshadowed multi-year growth. Pope is not against one-and-done players—he’s recruiting them too—but he’s also emphasizing culture, cohesion, and player-led accountability.

“Brandon took the long road, and it’s paying off,” Pope added. “And future recruits are watching that closely.”

Garrison’s evolution hasn’t just been physical or tactical—it’s been mental and emotional, too. Kentucky’s coaching staff, led by Pope, put a strong emphasis on personal growth, ensuring that Garrison’s transition into a leadership role was rooted in self-belief.

“Coach told me, ‘You don’t need to be someone else to lead. Just be the best version of you,’” Garrison said. “That gave me the confidence to speak up more, to hold teammates accountable, and to expect more from myself.”

That mental edge could be a game-changer in close SEC contests, where poise under pressure often separates contenders from pretenders.

As the SEC landscape shifts with transfers and freshmen flooding rosters, Garrison’s experience and buy-in to Pope’s system give Kentucky a unique edge. He’s not a freshman learning on the fly or a transfer adjusting to a new team—he’s a homegrown piece of a long-term plan.

If Kentucky is going to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament and re-establish itself as a consistent powerhouse, Garrison’s presence in the paint will be essential. He may not be the team’s leading scorer, but his ability to impact every phase of the game—defense, rebounding, rim protection, and unselfish passing—makes him invaluable.

“His value isn’t always loud, but it’s always there,” assistant coach Fueger said. “He’s the kind of player every winning team needs.”

Though Garrison may have put the NBA on the back burner during his freshman season, it’s never been off the table. Now, with a larger role and more visibility, scouts are once again watching closely.

“He’s exactly the kind of second-year breakout guy NBA teams love,” one anonymous NBA scout told The Athletic. “If he shows expanded offensive tools and continues to defend at a high level, he could work his way into serious draft conversations.”

Garrison, though, isn’t rushing anything.

“Everything will come in its time,” he said. “Right now, my focus is on winning with Kentucky. If we do that, the rest will take care of itself.”

When Mark Pope sat in Brandon Garrison’s living room and laid out a two-year plan, he wasn’t just selling a college experience—he was offering a path. A plan built on trust, sweat equity, and the belief that great players aren’t just born—they’re built.

Now, as Garrison steps into Year 2, the promise of that plan is beginning to unfold. And if early signs are any indication, the potential Pope saw is on the verge of blossoming into something far more powerful: production, leadership, and a legacy of growth that could define a new era of Kentucky basketball.