The lights never dim at Kentucky. Whether you're a McDonald's All-American or a homegrown legend, expectations come with every dribble in Lexington. As the Wildcats reload for the 2025-26 season under Mark Pope, the focus naturally shifts to the next wave — and the question every fan is asking:
Which underclassmen are ready to take the leap?
Here are the top candidates to keep an eye on this offseason — assuming they stay in Lexington with the portal looming large.
📈 Collin Chandler – Guard
2024-25 Stats: 10.4 MIN | 2.7 PTS | 1.0 REB | 0.7 AST
If you’re placing a bet on breakout potential, Chandler might be the safest ticket. The 6-4 guard out of Utah finally returned to the court after his LDS mission, and while his stats don’t leap off the page, the flashes were there. Chandler is a gifted scorer, a capable defender, and carries a level of poise that suggests big minutes could be in his future.
As he shakes off the rust and re-adjusts to the speed of high-major hoops, expect his confidence — and production — to rise. With backcourt turnover likely and Mark Pope always valuing skilled combo guards, Chandler could be in line for 20+ minutes a night.
Breakout Potential: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fan Forecast: He’s the favorite for a reason.
💪 Trent Noah – Forward
2024-25 Stats: 11.1 MIN | 2.7 PTS | 1.9 REB | 0.4 AST
Don’t let the numbers fool you — Trent Noah matters. The former Harlan County point guard showed up in big moments, especially in Kentucky’s two statement wins over Tennessee. He took charges, hit threes, and played with the kind of hustle that makes fans in this state fall in love fast.
Still, the road to consistent impact minutes won’t be easy. Pope wants him to bulk up and shift into a frontcourt role, a big ask for someone who ran the point in high school. But if Noah embraces the physicality and improves as a stretch forward, he’ll earn his place.
Breakout Potential: ⭐⭐⭐
Fan Forecast: Don’t sleep on the kid from Eastern Kentucky.
🧠 Travis Perry – Guard
2024-25 Stats: 9.8 MIN | 2.7 PTS | 0.8 REB | 0.6 AST
Kentucky’s all-time leading scorer barely scratched the surface as a freshman — and that was after a late-season injury further stalled his development. The court never looked quite like home to Perry this year, as his usually reliable shooting touch failed to consistently translate and his finishing around the rim remained a work in progress.
Still, he’s a gym rat with a smooth jumper and the kind of offensive instincts that made him a Kentucky legend before he stepped on campus. The problem? The backcourt will be stacked next year with Acaden Lewis, Jasper Johnson, and Jaland Lowe likely in front of him.
Breakout Potential: ⭐⭐
Fan Forecast: Talent is there, but minutes might not be.
🔁 Brandon Garrison – Forward/Center
2024-25 Stats: 17.3 MIN | 5.9 PTS | 3.9 REB | 1.9 AST | 0.6 BLK
Garrison is the wild card. A former McDonald's All-American, he has the size (6-11), athleticism, and court vision that screams NBA potential — but his motor and consistency have been question marks. Some nights he looks like a double-double machine, other nights he fades into the background.
Under Pope’s player-friendly system and with another year of seasoning, Garrison could absolutely explode. But he could leave, or his minutes may be impacted by future portal commitments.
Breakout Potential: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fan Forecast: Could be huge — if he sticks around.
🚪 One Big Caveat: The Transfer Portal
Let’s be honest. This is modern college basketball — it’s entirely possible none of these players are in a Kentucky uniform come November. That's the transfer portal. Surely, they probably all stay now, but nothing is a certainty until the portal closes.
🗳️ So, BBN, Who’s Your Pick?
Chandler has the skill and story.
Noah has the toughness and trust.
Garrison has the ceiling.
Perry has the resume.
Someone’s taking a leap in 2025-26. Who’s it gonna be?
Let us know — and buckle up. The offseason just started, and in Lexington, it never sleeps.