LEXINGTON, KY — In a program bursting with blue-chip prospects, transfers with accolades, and returning players hungry for a national title, it’s easy to assume that any early summer breakout star at Kentucky basketball practice would come from the usual suspects. Maybe it would be veteran Otega Oweh, who has already drawn praise for his leadership. Perhaps it would be Brandon Garrison, the McDonald’s All-American transfer from Oklahoma State. Or maybe one of the returning sharpshooters like Kerr Kriisa or Andrew Carr.
But in a turn of events that has left Kentucky coaches buzzing behind closed doors and assistants frantically rewinding practice tape, the most jaw-dropping performance has come from a name nobody saw coming:
True freshman Collin Chandler.
Yes, that Collin Chandler — the 6-foot-5 combo guard who signed with Kentucky out of Utah and spent the past two years on a Mormon mission before stepping back onto a court this summer. Many assumed he would need time to shake off rust. Few expected him to even crack the early rotation. But after just two weeks of team practice under Mark Pope, Chandler hasn’t just caught up.
He’s flipped the entire narrative.
“Wait… Who’s That Kid?”
One coach reportedly asked the question aloud during a team scrimmage after Chandler exploded for three straight buckets — one a deep transition three, followed by a reverse layup through contact, and then a high-flying chase-down block. Assistant coach Cody Fueger looked up and smiled.
“That’s Collin,” Fueger said. “Told you.”
According to multiple sources inside the program, Chandler has emerged as the surprise of early summer workouts. His game is smooth, aggressive, and creative. His body — thanks to obsessive work over the last five months — is already nearing game shape. And his basketball IQ, described by one staffer as “elite for a freshman,” has him playing with the poise of a senior.
What makes the story even more incredible?
Chandler hasn’t played competitive basketball since 2022.
From Mission to Madness
Chandler’s path to Lexington has been anything but conventional. Ranked as a top-40 national recruit out of high school, he originally committed to BYU under — you guessed it — Mark Pope. His combination of speed, length, and three-level scoring made him a prized get for the Cougars. But instead of enrolling immediately, Chandler chose to serve a two-year mission trip, a decision rooted deeply in faith and family.
After completing his mission earlier this year, Chandler re-opened his recruitment. Pope — now leading the Wildcats — wasted no time.
“I knew what kind of player he was,” Pope said during June’s media availability. “I had no doubts that Collin could help us. The only question was when — and that’s what’s so exciting. He’s already showing us it might be now.”
Sources say Chandler has worked out relentlessly since returning. He added 15 pounds of muscle and trained with former NBA players in Salt Lake City before heading to Lexington. The idea was simple: be ready to shock the world.
Mission accomplished.
The Play That Sparked the Buzz
The moment Chandler officially changed the coaching staff’s tone came in a closed scrimmage last week. With the score tight and the gym tense, Chandler was matched up with Oweh — Kentucky’s most intense defender and emotional leader. On one possession, Chandler used a hesitation dribble and left-to-right crossover to create space and drilled a pull-up three over Oweh’s outstretched arm.
The gym went silent for a second. Then erupted.
“Man, that shot said everything,” one assistant recalled. “That was the moment it stopped being, ‘He’s a nice piece,’ and became, ‘Okay, this kid’s for real.’”
Earning His Minutes the Hard Way
Chandler isn’t being handed anything. Pope’s system is competitive, fast, and loaded with experience. He’ll have to fight through a crowded backcourt rotation that includes:
- Otega Oweh, the Oklahoma transfer and emotional heartbeat of the team
- Kerr Kriisa, the former Arizona and WVU point guard known for his floor spacing and court vision
- Travis Perry, the Mr. Basketball from Kentucky and scoring machine
- Lamont Butler, the San Diego State transfer and elite on-ball defender
Still, Chandler’s blend of athleticism and shot-making has become impossible to ignore. While he may not start right away, there’s growing belief he could become one of Kentucky’s most important sixth men by January — or sooner.
“He’s making it hard to keep him off the floor,” another coach said. “And that’s the best kind of problem.”
A Game That Fits the Modern Wildcat Identity
What makes Chandler so valuable in Pope’s system is his versatility. He’s long enough to guard multiple positions and switch defensively, skilled enough to initiate offense or play off the ball, and confident enough to take — and make — big shots.
Here’s a breakdown of what he’s showing early:
- Off the dribble: Quick first step, especially going right. His pull-up jumper is lethal.
- Catch and shoot: Comfortable spacing to the NBA three. Fast release, high arc.
- Transition game: Great vision. He attacks downhill and finishes with authority.
- Defense: Still learning rotations, but his instincts and lateral quickness pop.
While not yet a finished product, Chandler’s basketball instincts are sharp. He rarely forces shots, sees the floor well, and plays with a maturity that’s caught veterans off guard.
“He’s like a sponge,” Oweh said last week. “He asks a lot of questions. He wants to learn. And when he gets on the court, he goes at you. I love it.”
The Leadership Behind the Leap
While Chandler’s raw talent is impressive, what’s stood out most is his mental toughness. Coaches have described him as one of the most coachable players in the program. He’s quiet but confident, and teammates have taken to him quickly.
His locker neighbor, Butler, offered insight into Chandler’s impact:
“You never see him rattle. And you never see him relax. That’s rare. Especially for a freshman,” Butler said. “We’re all pushing each other, but Collin’s the kind of guy who’ll sneak up on you and take your minutes if you’re not locked in. That’s respect.”
Mark Pope’s Vision Becoming Reality
Pope’s first offseason at Kentucky has been filled with bold moves — from convincing veterans to stay, to mining the transfer portal, to building a balanced, experienced, and positionless roster. But the rapid development of Chandler adds an unexpected layer to the equation.
“He gives us another weapon,” Pope said after Saturday’s team scrimmage. “You want guys who can guard, shoot, and play multiple spots. Collin does all of that — and he’s just scratching the surface.”
Pope emphasized that Chandler will continue to be brought along carefully. But insiders say he’s already ahead of where coaches expected him to be in November.
A Fanbase Reawakens
Wildcat fans who follow recruiting remember Chandler from his high school days. But after two years away from the national scene, many wrote him off as a long-term project or depth piece.
That assumption is quickly changing.
Already, Kentucky fans are buzzing online. Clips from practice have surfaced showing Chandler attacking the rim and knocking down shots. Analysts from 247Sports and Rivals are reportedly revisiting old scouting notes. And several NBA scouts — already keeping tabs on Pope’s revamped roster — have taken notice of the athletic, poised freshman from Utah.
Final Word: Changing the Conversation
Every summer, there’s always one name that breaks through the noise — one player who shifts the internal balance of a locker room and reshapes a coaching staff’s depth chart. At Kentucky, that player is Collin Chandler.
And he hasn’t just made a statement.
He’s started a movement.
What’s Next for Chandler and the ‘Cats?
With Big Blue Madness on the horizon and the team preparing for overseas exhibition play in August, Chandler is now firmly in the spotlight. Expect him to continue climbing the rotation, earning minutes, and — if this trajectory holds — potentially playing a major role when the SEC gauntlet begins in January.
He may not have been the name on everyone’s lips in May. But in July, Collin Chandler has turned Kentucky practice into his personal coming-out party.
