Mark Pope, the head coach of the Kentucky men’s basketball team, announced on Tuesday the inclusion of Brandon Garrison, a 6-foot-11 player, to the Wildcats’ expanding roster for the 2024-25 season. Garrison, a transfer from Oklahoma State, brings with him three seasons of eligibility.
During his freshman year at Oklahoma State, Garrison showcased his talent in 32 games, starting 29, with averages of 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. He also boasted an impressive 57.2% shooting accuracy from the field, ranking fourth all-time among OSU freshmen with at least 80 made shots. Coach Pope expressed his excitement about Garrison’s addition, highlighting his achievements as a McDonald’s All-American and a FIBA U18 Americas gold medalist with Team USA. Pope also praised Garrison’s character and predicted he would win the hearts of the BBN (Big Blue Nation) fanbase.
Garrison’s performance notably surged during Big 12 conference games, where he averaged 9.9 points, including three games with 20 or more points. His stellar performances included a flawless 7-of-7 shooting for 20 points against Baylor and a career-high 21 points against Pope’s BYU team. He demonstrated prowess in drawing fouls, leading the conference in free-throw rate during conference play. Beyond scoring, Garrison displayed defensive prowess with his shot-blocking abilities, totaling 47 blocks during the 2023-24 season.
Before his collegiate career, Garrison excelled at Del City High School, earning recognition as a McDonald’s All-American and receiving accolades such as the Gatorade and MaxPreps Player of the Year in Oklahoma. He led his high school team to two 5A state titles and also represented Team USA, winning gold at the 2022 FIBA U18 Americas tournament in Mexico.