In a stunning twist that has rocked the college basketball world, Brandon Garrison, the 5-star center out of Oklahoma City, has officially decommitted from the University of Kentucky and announced his commitment to the University of Oklahoma. The move not only sends shockwaves through the Southeastern Conference (SEC) but also signals a power shift in the regional recruiting landscape that could have long-term ramifications for both programs.
Garrison, who had previously signed a letter of intent to play for new Kentucky head coach Mark Pope, made the surprise announcement on social media Monday morning, just weeks after reaffirming his commitment in interviews following John Calipari’s departure to Arkansas. His decision to flip to Oklahoma represents a full-circle moment for the homegrown star—and a massive recruiting win for first-year Sooners head coach Ryan Humphrey.
The Rise of Brandon Garrison
Standing at 6-foot-10 and weighing 235 pounds, Brandon Garrison has long been considered one of the top big men in the 2025 recruiting class. Ranked as a consensus 5-star prospect by ESPN, 247Sports, and Rivals, Garrison has built his reputation on his dominant post presence, high basketball IQ, and elite rim protection. A product of Del City High School and a standout on the Nike EYBL circuit, he first caught national attention in his sophomore year and only grew more imposing as he matured.
His blend of strength, footwork, and touch around the rim made him an obvious target for blue bloods around the country. Kansas, North Carolina, Duke, and UCLA were all in the mix early, but it was Kentucky—then under Coach Calipari—who won his verbal commitment last year. Garrison signed his national letter of intent in November 2024, giving the Wildcats a key interior anchor in a class loaded with perimeter talent.
However, the departure of Calipari this offseason opened the door for change.
The Mark Pope Era Hits a Bump
When Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart hired Mark Pope to replace Calipari in April 2025, the move was met with mixed emotions. Pope, a former Wildcat who won a national championship as a player in 1996, had revitalized BYU with his modern offense and player development strategies. His connection to the Kentucky program earned him goodwill, but many fans were cautious about how recruits—especially those signed under Calipari—would respond.
To Pope’s credit, he hit the ground running. Within days of his hiring, he flew out to meet personally with Garrison and his family in Oklahoma City. By all public accounts, the meeting went well. Garrison even posted a picture on Instagram with Pope, accompanied by a caption that read: “Let’s work. #BBN.” Kentucky fans exhaled.
But behind the scenes, uncertainty brewed. Several assistant coaches left Lexington. Player movement across the transfer portal clouded the roster picture. Rumors of Garrison reconsidering his commitment quietly circulated in recruiting circles, but nothing had been confirmed—until now.
Garrison’s Statement
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) Monday morning, Garrison made it official:
“After a lot of prayer and conversations with my family, I’ve decided to decommit from the University of Kentucky. I want to thank Coach Pope and the entire Kentucky staff for believing in me. This wasn’t an easy decision, but I have to follow my heart and stay true to who I am. With that said, I’m excited to announce that I will be committing to the University of Oklahoma! #BoomerSooner”
The announcement was accompanied by a short video of Garrison donning a crimson Sooners jersey and walking onto the Lloyd Noble Center floor, where the message “Coming Home” flashed across the screen.
Why Oklahoma?
For Oklahoma fans, the commitment is not just a win—it’s a landmark moment.
After struggling to maintain relevance in the Big 12 over the past few seasons, Oklahoma enters a new chapter under head coach Ryan Humphrey, a former Notre Dame and NBA forward with deep recruiting ties across the Midwest and South. Humphrey, who took over after Porter Moser’s departure, has made it clear that keeping elite talent in-state is a top priority.
Landing Garrison signals that the Sooners are serious about building a contender in their first season in the SEC. The addition of a local 5-star big man who had interest from every major program in the country gives Humphrey immediate credibility on the recruiting trail.
In an interview following the announcement, Humphrey shared his thoughts:
“Brandon is a game-changer, plain and simple. He’s not just an elite talent—he’s a leader, a worker, and a winner. We’re beyond excited to welcome him back home. This is just the beginning of something special here in Norman.”
Sources close to the Garrison family said the decision ultimately came down to a combination of proximity, familiarity, and trust. Garrison’s parents, both longtime Oklahoma residents, reportedly had strong ties to the university and were instrumental in helping him evaluate his options after Calipari left Kentucky.
“Brandon wanted to be close to home,” one source said. “And with Coach Humphrey, he saw a vision he believed in.”
The Fallout in Lexington
For Kentucky, the decommitment stings.
Not only was Garrison expected to start from Day 1, but his presence would have anchored the frontcourt for years to come. With his departure, Kentucky’s frontcourt depth is once again in question. The Wildcats still have 4-star big man Trent Noah and are in the mix for transfer forwards, but Garrison was the crown jewel of their post-Calipari recruiting class.
Mark Pope will now need to pivot quickly. The pressure to win in Lexington is relentless, and losing a 5-star recruit to a conference rival—even a future one—will only intensify scrutiny. Pope has already landed a few high-upside transfers and reportedly is in talks with several international prospects, but Garrison’s departure leaves a gap that won’t be easy to fill.
BBN reacted with a mixture of frustration and understanding.
“Can’t fault a kid for wanting to play close to home,” one fan wrote on a Kentucky forum. “But man, it hurts. He was gonna be special.”
Others pointed the finger at the program’s instability.
“Should’ve done everything to keep Cal,” another posted. “We’re losing blue-chippers left and right now.”
A New Recruiting Power in Norman?
While the Garrison flip marks a major loss for Kentucky, it could be the start of something much bigger for Oklahoma.
With the Sooners moving to the SEC in July 2025, the pressure is on to upgrade their basketball roster to compete with the likes of Alabama, Tennessee, Auburn, and yes—Kentucky. Landing Garrison provides the Sooners with a foundational piece and a national spotlight.
Other recruits are already taking notice. According to sources at 247Sports, Oklahoma has recently ramped up efforts to land 4-star wing Jaylen Harrell from Texas and 5-star point guard Devin Riley out of Missouri. Garrison’s commitment could be the domino that swings others to join.
Moreover, the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) landscape in Oklahoma is rapidly evolving. With local collectives growing and alumni beginning to rally behind the basketball program, the Sooners are in position to offer competitive packages to top-tier talent.
One local radio host put it bluntly: “Brandon Garrison’s commitment to Oklahoma is the biggest recruiting moment for Sooner basketball in over a decade. This changes everything.”
Looking Ahead
For Brandon Garrison, the decision to flip to Oklahoma marks the beginning of a new journey in his home state. With the weight of expectations and the pride of playing in front of friends and family, his college career is set to begin with both excitement and pressure.
For Oklahoma, it marks a statement of intent.
For Kentucky, it’s a challenge—and a chance for Mark Pope to prove his mettle.
College basketball thrives on drama, and few stories embody the raw emotion, hometown pride, and national implications quite like this one. With Garrison now set to wear crimson and cream, one thing is clear: the battle for supremacy in the SEC just got even more personal.