he Kentucky Wildcats are working to build their roster for the 2024-25 season, their first year under new head coach and former alumni Mark Pope. They still have a ways to go with just a few players currently set to join them next season in high school recruits Travis Perry and Collin Chandler.
Pope is taking over from John Calipari, who is now with the Arkansas Razorbacks. Both programs have shown interest in numerous players in the transfer portal, and both are looking to target former Oklahoma State center Brandon Garrison.
On3’s Joe Tipton first reported the potential interest from the two schools, who hope to get Garrison on campus very soon.
“A source told On3 that the two are both looking to bring in former McDonald’s All-American Brandon Garrison, a transfer from Oklahoma State, for a visit next week,” Tipton wrote.
Having spent last season with the BYU Cougars in the Big 12, Pope is very familiar with Garrison. As a true freshman last season, Garrison started 29 games and played in 32. He ended the season shooting 57.2% from the field to go with 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-11 transfer was the fourth-best center in the class of 2023, as well as a McDonald’s All-American.
Garrison is from Oklahoma City. With the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners both in the mix, they may have the advantage given where Garrison grew up. He visited Oklahoma last weekend and will visit Texas this weekend before he potentially comes to Arkansas or Kentucky next week.
Adding Garrison would be huge for the Cats’ rebuilding plans. Considering Big Z is in Fayetteville with Calipari, it makes far more sense for Garrison to prefer Kentucky here in order to truly showcase his talent.
However, if it turns into a bidding war, that’s probably more in favor of the Hogs.