Kentucky Blue-White Game: Collin Chandler Steals the Show, Dominates as MVP
By Mark Knight
The Blue-White game led to some controversy over how it was run and executed this year in terms of ticket sales. It was an exclusive and high-priced event that led to hundreds of tickets being unsold, and any fan who wasn't there couldn't watch on TV. The Kentucky Athletics Department did allow fans to stream on a live stream, but it showed none of the game action, only interviews, and commentary.
However, the reports out of the Blue-White event are that true freshman Collin Chandler stole the show. Before any stats or even videos were posted, fans and reporters who were in attendance were posting about Chandler.
He was electric in so many ways, and people couldn't stop talking about him. Then, he threw a huge dunk down over Brandon Garrison, and videos of the moment flooded social media.
This was impressive all on its own, but then the stats came out from the night, and this amazing freshman went off. He had 19 points on 7-10 shooting, going 4-7 from three. He also had three assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Talk about stuffing the stats. He reminds us of a particular player who just went to the NBA, Reed Sheppard.
He wasn't the highest scorer on the night, but he was second. The only player to score more points than him was Andrew Carr, who scored 25.
We weren't sure Chandler would be able to make his way onto the floor with all the experience and depth the Kentucky squad has, but now many are wondering if his time in Lexington will be short, as the NBA will be calling. Chandler will find his way into the rotation with performances like this and maybe even become one of the program's stars. In a school that is used to freshman phenoms, Chandler took us a bit by surprise.