Brandon Garrison wasn’t ready to be a leader last year. That’s not a knock—it’s just the truth. The former McDonald’s All-American had flashes of talent, moments of energy, and even the occasional outburst of emotion. But none of that made him the guy. He was raw, inconsistent, and at times immature.
Fast forward to this offseason, and things look a little different. Kentucky head coach Mark Pope sees it. He hears it in Garrison’s voice. He watches it in how he carries himself around his teammates. And he’s not keeping those observations to himself.
“Brandon Garrison showed me some signs in the last month, and certainly this summer, where he is just — like he is growing up, man,” Pope told KSR. “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.”
That shift in mindset, Pope says, can be credited in part to a mentor figure that may have surprised some—Amari Williams.
“He’ll be the first to tell you that Amari Williams was a life-changing mentor for him,” Pope said during a recent media availability. “He’s excited to help some other guys come along.”
That’s the mark of growth. A year ago, Garrison wasn’t capable of leading others. Now, he’s ready to pass on the very lessons that helped him level up.
Growing Pains
Last season, Garrison averaged 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game in a backup role. He was athletic and showed potential, but struggled with consistency—and occasionally, maturity. One infamous moment during the NIT win over Oklahoma saw him celebrating a little too wildly, leading to a fan tossing a can at his head. (Watch the video here)
Moments like that may have been entertaining in the moment, but they were also reminders that Garrison wasn’t quite ready for the spotlight. Being “the man” takes more than just bounce and bravado—it takes discipline, composure, and vision. Garrison had to learn that.
And learn he did.
Mentorship and Maturity
The arrival of Amari Williams—a veteran with professional poise—was a turning point. Garrison not only had a front-row seat to Williams’ game, he had a daily reminder of what leadership actually looks like.
Williams led by example. He communicated. He stayed composed. And somewhere along the line, Garrison took notice.
Now, the 6-foot-11 sophomore isn’t just embracing leadership because it’s been asked of him. He’s stepping into it because he wants it.
That distinction matters.
Ready to lead?
So is Brandon Garrison ready for the role Mark Pope envisions? If growth is the metric, he’s well on his way.
Pope isn’t known for handing out praise lightly. If he believes Garrison is turning a corner, there’s probably substance behind the optimism.
Of course, leadership at Kentucky doesn’t come just from pep talks and locker room speeches. It comes from performance. Garrison will need to back up his growth with numbers—more rebounds, more presence in the paint, more impact plays in big games.
But the foundation is there. The mindset is shifting. And if Garrison’s mental toughness ever matches his physical gifts, the Wildcats might have a frontcourt monster—and a leader—they can ride deep into March.
Look out, college basketball. A locked-in Brandon Garrison could be a problem for the whole country.