In the NCAA transfer portal, Mark Pope has made a significant impact with the recent addition of former Oklahoma State center Brandon Garrison to the Kentucky Wildcats roster for the 2024-25 season. Garrison, a towering figure at 6-11 and weighing 245 pounds, becomes the seventh confirmed player to join Pope’s restructured UK basketball team.
During his freshman season at Oklahoma State, Garrison played in 32 games and made 29 starts, showcasing his skills by averaging 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game. Noteworthy is his notable 21-point performance against Pope’s BYU team, demonstrating his potential on the court.
In addition to his offensive abilities, Garrison’s defensive prowess has been equally impressive, ranking 84th nationally with a block percentage of 6.6% last season, according to KenPom. His defensive rebounding percentage and two-point shooting percentage were also among the best in the country.
As a highly sought-after recruit from Del City High School, just an hour away from the Oklahoma State campus, Garrison was ranked as the No. 36 player in the 2023 class by 247Sports Composite. His reputation was further solidified as a 2023 McDonald’s All-American, where he shared the court with future UK players Aaron Bradshaw, Justin Edwards, Reed Sheppard, and D.J. Wagner.
In the midst of Pope shaping the Wildcats’ roster, some players from the previous season’s team have transferred to new schools. Additionally, a few players, including Thiero, are still in the NCAA transfer portal, with options to potentially return to Kentucky.
It’s important to note that the NCAA transfer portal deadline is on May 1, and players who have entered the NBA draft have until May 29 to remove their names from consideration and return to college. With the 2024 NBA draft early-entry deadline having passed on April 27, it’s a critical time for players as they contemplate their future in college basketball and the professional leagues.
As the Wildcats prepare for a new season under Pope’s leadership, the addition of Garrison bolsters their lineup and sets the stage for an exciting chapter in UK basketball.
This article was originally published on April 30, 2024, at 10:46 AM.