Why Brandon Garrison’s Sophomore Season at Kentucky Has Wildcats Fans Buzzing With Sky-High Expectations for a Breakout Year

Who else is excited for Brandon Garrison’s second year at Kentucky? You’re not alone. As the Wildcats gear up for the 2025–26 college basketball season, there’s a growing belief that Garrison could be the centerpiece of a squad looking to return to national prominence. After a freshman campaign that showed flashes of brilliance, the former McDonald’s All-American is poised to make a leap—and Big Blue Nation is counting down the days.

Garrison’s freshman year in Lexington was not without its challenges, but he also showcased the kind of skill set and mentality that coaches dream of developing. A 6-foot-11 forward with a sturdy frame, soft hands, and polished footwork, Garrison often looked like one of the most fundamentally sound big men in the SEC—even when his minutes fluctuated. He averaged a modest 6.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in just under 20 minutes per game, but those numbers only tell part of the story. He defended without fouling, rim-ran with purpose, and showed flashes of a smooth mid-range shot that hinted at more to come.

More than that, he brought consistency and poise to a Kentucky team that desperately needed a calming presence down low. While others looked to make highlight plays, Garrison often made the right play. His screens were crisp, his box-outs disciplined, and his passing from the high post—something not often seen from freshmen big men—was far ahead of schedule. There’s a reason why new head coach Mark Pope made it a priority to bring him back and build around him.

In fact, Pope’s arrival may be the best thing that could’ve happened to Garrison. Known for getting the most out of his frontcourt players, Pope has already helped develop multiple bigs into pros at his previous stops. His system emphasizes space, motion, and high basketball IQ—all traits that play directly into Garrison’s strengths. With Pope at the helm, Garrison isn’t just another player in the rotation. He’s a foundational piece.

And that’s exactly why the excitement is so real. Garrison isn’t just returning—he’s returning with purpose, confidence, and a clear role. The whispers around Lexington suggest that he’s added 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason without sacrificing any of his lateral quickness. Word is, he’s been in the gym every day, working on his face-up game, tightening his post moves, and extending his shooting range to the three-point line. While he may not be launching threes like a guard anytime soon, just being a threat from outside could open up Kentucky’s entire offense.

There’s also the leadership element. As one of the few returning contributors from last year’s team, Garrison will be expected to set the tone in the locker room and on the floor. That’s a challenge he appears ready to embrace. Multiple teammates have praised his work ethic and quiet determination, noting that Garrison lets his actions speak louder than words. He’s not the most vocal player, but when he talks, people listen. That kind of respect doesn’t come easily, especially at a blueblood program like Kentucky.

It helps that Garrison is also surrounded by a more balanced roster this year. Kentucky’s incoming transfers and freshman class bring experience and shot-making—two things last year’s squad sorely lacked. With shooters spacing the floor, Garrison will have more room to operate on the block. With veteran guards initiating the offense, he won’t have to worry about overextending himself trying to do too much. The pieces are aligning, and Garrison is smack dab in the middle of it all.

From a pure basketball standpoint, his potential impact is undeniable. Defensively, he can anchor a unit with his shot-blocking and communication. He’s not just a help-side rim protector—he understands team defense, rotates properly, and isn’t afraid to switch out on guards when needed. Offensively, he plays within himself and doesn’t need a high usage rate to be effective. That’s the kind of player championship teams are built around—not necessarily the flashiest, but the most reliable when it matters.

Fans have noticed. Talk to any Kentucky faithful, and you’ll hear the same thing: Garrison is about to explode. Some compare him to past UK greats like Willie Cauley-Stein or Bam Adebayo—players who blossomed from solid freshman contributors into dominant college bigs by year two. Others are even bolder, suggesting that Garrison could be a dark-horse All-SEC selection if he stays healthy and continues to develop.

That may sound like hyperbole to outsiders, but those who’ve watched him closely know better. Garrison’s game is built on patience, detail, and unselfishness—traits that are often overlooked in an era dominated by one-and-done phenoms and flashy mixtapes. He may not command headlines with 30-point outbursts, but he’ll quietly stuff the stat sheet, affect games in multiple ways, and likely earn the respect of coaches across the conference.

Kentucky’s identity next season will likely reflect its most important players—and in many ways, that starts with Garrison. Pope has emphasized toughness, chemistry, and high-IQ play since the moment he stepped on campus. Those aren’t just buzzwords—they’re a blueprint for how he wants the Wildcats to play. And who better to embody that than a sophomore big man who already does the little things and is ready to do a lot more?

There’s a poetic element to Garrison’s story, too. In an era where players bolt for the pros or the portal at the first sign of adversity, Garrison has chosen to stay, grow, and commit to something bigger than himself. That loyalty hasn’t gone unnoticed. It’s part of why fans are rallying behind him. They want to see him win—not just because he’s talented, but because he represents what Kentucky basketball is supposed to be about: hard work, development, and a relentless drive to compete.

If everything clicks, Garrison’s second year could be special. The talent is there. The system fits. The coaching is in place. And most importantly, the hunger is real. Garrison doesn’t carry himself like someone satisfied with just being good. He wants to be great—and not just individually. He wants to win, to hang banners, to leave a legacy.

As preseason buzz starts to build and summer workouts roll on, Garrison remains focused. He’s not on social media hyping himself up. He’s not chasing headlines or NIL deals. He’s in the gym, working, studying film, and preparing to lead. He knows the expectations are high—but that’s exactly where he wants them. Because when the lights are bright and the games really matter, Brandon Garrison doesn’t just want to be part of the moment. He wants to define it.

So yes, plenty of people are excited for Brandon Garrison’s second year at Kentucky. But no one is more locked in than Garrison himself. And that’s exactly why the rest of college basketball should be paying attention.