Brandon Garrison Is Stepping Up: Kentucky’s Emerging Leader at Center for 2025-26
In the unpredictable whirlwind that was Kentucky’s 2024-25 season, Brandon Garrison was both a spark of promise and a source of frustration. The 6-foot-11 big man had moments of brilliance timely blocks, tough rebounds, and flashes of offensive polish but also moments where he looked every bit like a freshman, dribbling into trouble or taking ill-advised shots that drew groans from Big Blue Nation.
But if there’s one thing the offseason has made clear, it’s this: Brandon Garrison isn’t the same player or the same person he was a year ago. Now, as Kentucky retools under Mark Pope in his second year at the helm, Garrison is emerging not only as a potential starter, but as a foundational leader of the Wildcats’ 2025-26 team.
A Commitment to Come Back—and Step Up
Garrison made it official on April 12: he was returning to Lexington for another run in blue and white. The announcement didn’t just mark the return of a promising big man; it signaled the start of a transformation. Since then, all signs point to a player who’s growing not just in talent, but in maturity and influence.
Last season, Garrison averaged 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds in just over 17 minutes per game while backing up graduate senior Amari Williams. And while his stats didn’t leap off the page, what has Kentucky fans buzzing now is his growth behind the scenes.
“He’ll be the first to tell you that Amari Williams was a life-changing mentor for him,” Coach Mark Pope said recently. “He’s excited to help some other guys come along.”
Now it’s Garrison’s turn to be the mentor.
Taking the Torch
With Williams gone and freshmen Jayden Quaintance and Malachi Moreno entering the fold, the center position is up for grabs. Garrison, already familiar with Pope’s system, is the frontrunner to take the starting spot. But it’s not just the coaches who are giving him the edge it’s the way he’s embraced the responsibility of leadership that sets him apart.
In fact, Garrison has already started building relationships with Kentucky’s newest players. During the official visits of four incoming transfers, Garrison made time to sit down for breakfast with each of them. He wanted to talk about Kentucky. About what it takes. About what’s expected.
That initiative didn’t go unnoticed.
“Brandon Garrison showed me some signs in the last month, and certainly this summer, where he is just he is growing up, man,” Pope said in an interview with KSR on May 22. “It’s so cool to see, it’s the best thing to see as a coach. He’s talking about what he wants to be. It’s no longer kind of what he is and who he is and how he acts, but it’s what he wants to become.”
Leadership on and off the Court
Kentucky’s new-look roster is brimming with youthful talent and experienced transfers, but few have the unique vantage point Garrison does: he’s been in Pope’s system, he’s seen the demands, and he knows what it takes to fight for minutes in a competitive locker room.
More importantly, he’s using that knowledge to elevate those around him.
Garrison’s story is one of evolution. From backup big man to vocal mentor. From occasional liability to trusted cornerstone. From “pass the ball!” to “follow my lead.”
The Road Ahead
Whether Garrison ends up starting on day one or sharing time with Kentucky’s promising young bigs, one thing is clear: this team will feed off his energy, his experience, and his voice. He’s not just playing for minutes anymore he’s playing for legacy.
Kentucky basketball is about banners, but it’s also about brotherhood. And this season, Brandon Garrison is proving he’s ready to lead in both.
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