The Kentucky Wildcats played a non-conference game against the Georgia State Panthers on Friday, November 29. Before the game tipped off, one player, Brandon Garrison, wasn't suited up or fully warming up. He mostly passed balls to teammates and walked around in his Kentucky sweatsuit.
Brandon Garrison not in uniform tonight. Still walking around, passing balls, helping out with warm ups. pic.twitter.com/vDaiJmfsMq
— BBN Tonight (@BBNTonight) November 29, 2024
He looked to be walking fine but wasn't doing anything more than helping teammates warm up. Speculation began immediately about an injury for one of the stars of this newly formed Kentuck team. Soon, Mark Pope announced that Garrison would be held out of the Georgia State game "due to soreness, " seemingly to indicate that it was more precautionary than anything.
Mark Pope says Brandon Garrison will be held out as a precaution due to soreness.
— Wyatt Huff (@Wildcat_wave) November 29, 2024
No further information was given before the game, and thus, it appears that it's more precautionary than anything. Pope has the depth to give his players a rest if they are feeling sore, and against an opponent where the Wildcats are favored to win by double-digits, it's a good time to do it. Garrison is not expected to be out more than this game.
Garrison has been a bright spot for this newly built Kentucky Wildcats team and may be one of the top NBA draft prospects. He has yet to start a game but has played quality minutes in every contest in the young, undefeated season. He has averaged 18.5 minutes per game, scoring an average of 6.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.2 blocks.
He often is the first five-man off the bench and backs up Amari Williams. He plays a quality role on both the defensive and offensive ends of the floor. Pope plans to use him mightily throughout the year. Without him in the lineup, Ansley Almonor came in first as the backup to Williams. Almonor has given them quality minutes but has played much less than either Williams or Garrison.