Wildcat at Heart: Brandon Garrison Reveals Why He Stayed Loyal to Kentucky Amid Transfer Frenzy
Lexington, KY – April 29, 2025
In an era of college basketball where loyalty is increasingly rare and the transfer portal is flooded with movement, Brandon Garrison is a refreshing anomaly. The 6-foot-10 sophomore forward—once hailed as a top-50 national recruit—had every reason, every opportunity, and every nudge to consider leaving. But instead, as Kentucky’s basketball program underwent seismic changes, Garrison doubled down on his commitment to the Big Blue Nation. Today, the soft-spoken Oklahoma native finally broke his silence and explained, in depth, why he chose to stay in Lexington when so many others didn’t.
Garrison, who transferred to Kentucky from Oklahoma State after his freshman year, could have become a high-profile portal target again this offseason. The Wildcats endured a coaching transition, saw waves of player turnover, and underwent a complete philosophical reset under new head coach Mark Pope. It was a crossroads for many players—and a breaking point for some.
But for Garrison, it was a moment of clarity.
> “I didn’t come here to just wear the jersey,” Garrison said during a candid sit-down at the Joe Craft Center. “I came here to build something, to leave a legacy. It was never about what was easiest—it was about where I could grow, and this is where that happens.”
A New Coach, A Renewed Purpose
When John Calipari departed Kentucky for Arkansas in April 2024, a storm of uncertainty swept through the program. Mark Pope, a former Wildcat himself and the newly appointed head coach, inherited a fractured roster and a fanbase holding its breath. Nearly a dozen players entered the transfer portal, and several recruits reopened their commitments.
Yet Pope quickly identified Garrison as a cornerstone for his rebuild.
> “When I first met Coach Pope, I could feel the fire in his voice,” Garrison shared. “He didn’t promise me minutes or sugarcoat the challenge. He told me he wanted dogs—players who’d bleed for the jersey. That’s what I am.”
Sources close to the program revealed that Pope made retaining Garrison a top priority. The staff’s message wasn’t just about basketball—it was about trust, culture, and vision. Garrison, who averaged 6.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in his first season at Kentucky, was seen as an ideal fit for Pope’s new high-energy, defense-first identity.
> “Coach Pope made me feel seen,” Garrison said. “He broke down film with me, talked about how my game could expand—how I could be a leader, not just a player.”
Temptation Knocking
According to multiple insiders, Garrison was approached by representatives from at least six Power 6 programs after the season ended. Programs from the ACC, Big 12, and even the SEC inquired through back channels. The name, the build, the upside—it all made Garrison one of the most quietly coveted big men in the portal.
But he didn’t even enter.
> “I saw all the other guys jumping ship. And it’s not a knock on them. Everyone’s got their path,” he said. “But I felt like this was my moment to show I’m built different.”
NIL offers were reportedly dangled—some in the high six-figure range—but Garrison reiterated that his focus was internal.
> “Money comes and goes. Development? Brotherhood? That’s forever. Coach Pope showed me the plan, and I bought in.”
The Growth Ahead
This offseason, Garrison has been working relentlessly with Kentucky’s strength and conditioning coach Brady Welsh. He’s added 12 pounds of muscle, improved his lateral movement, and even stretched his shooting range out to the mid-range arc—something Pope encouraged.
> “I want to be that anchor inside. Block shots, run the floor, control the glass. But I also want to start hitting that elbow jumper, maybe even step out and hit a three.”
Pope echoed that sentiment in a recent interview, calling Garrison “a foundational piece” of the Wildcats’ identity going forward.
> “Brandon is the kind of guy you build a culture around,” Pope said. “He’s humble, hungry, and terrifying on defense. He wants to do the dirty work. That’s the kind of heartbeat you need.”
Brotherhood Beyond Basketball
One of the factors Garrison cited most often in his decision to stay was the brotherhood he’s developed with teammates like Otega Oweh, Andrew Carr, and fellow returnee Trent Noah. Garrison, Oweh, and Carr have formed a tight bond, often staying after practice to run drills or just shoot around.
> “It’s not just a team—it’s a family,” Garrison emphasized. “We push each other, we hold each other accountable, and we pray together.”
Oweh, a vocal presence on and off the court, said Garrison’s loyalty rubbed off on the rest of the team.
> “When Brandon said he was staying, that was huge,” Oweh noted. “It showed all of us that we’re building something real here. He’s our anchor.”
A Message to Big Blue Nation
As he looks ahead to his sophomore campaign, Garrison’s goals are clear: take Kentucky deeper into March, dominate the paint, and become a leader that younger players can look to.
> “I want to win. I want to hang a banner. That’s why I stayed. The Big Blue Nation deserves that.”
And to the fans, many of whom have flooded his social media with messages of gratitude, Garrison had one final thing to say:
> “You believed in me before I believed in myself. That means something. I’m not going anywhere. Let’s shock the world together.”
In a college basketball world increasingly defined by change, Brandon Garrison’s decision to stay rooted in Kentucky soil stands out—not just for its rarity, but for its meaning. He isn’t chasing hype. He’s chasing history.
And he wants to write it in blue and white
