Collin Chandler, the rising star of Kentucky basketball, enters Year 2 with a fire in his heart and clarity in his mind. After stepping away from basketball for a two‑year mission to Sierra Leone and London, Chandler made his debut with the Wildcats in the 2024–25 season, following head coach Mark Pope from BYU. That unconventional path meant he arrived in Lexington with immense talent but was behind in basketball rhythm. Through the past year, he transformed himself—gaining comfort, confidence, and a refined sense of purpose.
When Chandler joined Kentucky after his mission, he was no stranger to athletic prowess. In high school at Farmington, Utah, he scored over 1,500 career points, netting 21.7 points per game in his senior year, pulled down 4.3 rebounds per game, and earned the title of Utah Mr. Basketball in 2022 . Rivals ranked him among the top 35 recruits in his class ([wkyt.com][1]). But to step onto a Southeastern Conference court after two years off is a monumental challenge. Chandler’s journey wasn’t merely a return—it was a rebirth.
During the summer before his freshman season, the Kentucky staff designed a meticulous ramp‑up protocol for Chandler. Head coach Pope, drawing from his time at BYU and Utah Valley, carefully orchestrated conditioning, court time, and injury prevention. Chandler admitted the most difficult part wasn’t physical fatigue but resetting his body’s restraint, particularly with recovery and a minor hamstring setback ([kentucky.com][2]). Yet he approached it with humility—“hard work getting back, a grind trying to get my body back right”.
By fall, Chandler was battling through ramp‑ups and setbacks, but his progress was palpable during Kentucky’s Pro Day, where he sprinted transition, nailed threes, and finished at the rim with explosiveness. Jaxson Robinson, one of Chandler’s former teammates under Pope, remarked that Chandler had adjusted quicker than anyone he’d seen through such a layoff period
When Chandler finally debuted, he entered as a reserve but quickly made his presence known. His athleticism, shooting, and defensive tenacity became key assets off the bench. In early games, he showcased glimpses—dropping six points and leading plus/minus with +29 in 13 minutes vs. Jackson State ; follow that with 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals against Vanderbilt later in the season.
Coach Pope took notice. He praised Chandler’s “two‑two‑two” energy in bench stints—two assists, two turnovers, and two steals—calling him a “massive boost”. Pope went so far as to compare Chandler to bamboo, growing beneath the surface before shooting skyward . That metaphor reflects Chandler’s character: quiet diligence, patient growth, and sudden burst into visibility.
As the season stretched on, Chandler’s role expanded. After a solid performance against Vanderbilt in February, he rose in confidence, hitting timely threes and bolstering the defense . Against LSU in March, he notched a career‑high 11 points in Kentucky’s 95‑64 rout, earning praise for his two‑way game and team‑first mindset ([si.com][6]). He commented post-game, “I have just been wanting to help the team in any way I can… I needed to get better, so that was a focus for me… I need to continue to grow offensively and be a threat out there too” .
Though his season averages were modest (around 2.7 points, 1–3 rebounds, and limited minutes), Chandler’s growth was measurable in intangible ways—energy, defense, leadership, and readiness for bigger moments . Pope emphasized his value to depth and defense: “He gives us some things that we don’t have a lot of … defensively, and we’re gonna need him to be great on the defensive side”
When the season ended, Chandler reflected on how different this year feels. “I feel like I know my environment a little bit better,” he shared. “Coming in a little bit blind last year… I didn’t really know what to expect or how to go about it.” Now: “This year, in the offseason, I knew exactly what I’m supposed to be working on,” he said. His message was succinct: stacking days—small improvements, one after another.
Off the court, Chandler married his long-time partner, Hannah, during the offseason, describing her as his greatest support: “She makes my life 10 times better… I have somebody to go home to and talk to” ([ukathletics.com][9]). That maturity off the court—settling down, building a stable foundation—reflects increased mental readiness for Year 2.
Cheering from Big Blue Nation reflected his budding legacy. Fans embraced his decision to return despite lucrative NIL and portal opportunities. Chandler acknowledged the offers were tempting but insisted he played for love of the game, not money. “I didn’t start playing basketball for the money… the best thing for my game—and for my future—is right here at Kentucky”. Pope weighed in: Chandler could have had immediate control elsewhere, but chose loyalty—a testament to his character. Fans caught hold of #ChandlerReturns, and even former UK guards praised him: “The kid gets it” .
Looking ahead to 2025–26, Chandler’s role is crystal clear: a 3‑and‑D wing who can spearhead bench defense, shoot threes, and run secondary point with his passing ability. Preseason projections label him among the returning core—Trent Noah, Brandon Garrison—key to Pope’s vision. CBS Sports lists Kentucky at #11 preseason, with Chandler a stability factor amid new faces
Analysts predict a breakout sophomore year. SI’s Andrew Stefaniak says modest freshman averages disguise Chandler’s potential: “He will likely be a bench piece… but without question, he has the ability to average eight or more points per game in an expanded role… a dominant ‘Three and D’ player” ([si.com][13]). A Sea of Blue notes Chandler “excited for Year 2,” ready to capitalize with full knowledge of the system, teammates, and personal focus ([aseaofblue.com][14]). That confidence is rooted in tangible evidence—summer training, chemistry with returners, clarity from living off the court.
Even the roster turnover from the portal underscores Chandler’s importance. With Acaden Lewis out and Jaland Lowe in, Chandler’s flexibility across guard roles brings invaluable depth. Pope needs players who understand his system defensively and offensively; Chandler has already shown he can do both. From his sermon‑quiet maturity, he’s now poised to lead by example on both ends—defense, catch-and-shoot threes, ball movement.
Year 2 will test Chandler. SEC foes will scout him. He’ll likely start in a rotation increased from freshman season—challenged to garage up his scoring while maintaining elite defensive energy. The hope is he becomes that Sixth Man—a role model for Kentucky’s new recruits, snapping the ball in the backcourt, delivering threes, asserting himself both physically and mentally. His off-court grounding, marriage, maturity will help him navigate pressures of BBN expectations.
Big Blue Nation awaits the fireworks: “SEC Championship. Final Four. Banner 9”—Chandler’s bold goals ([amasportsarena.com][10]). But first: stacking days. That incremental growth approach, his proven method, powered his freshman year progression. The offseason focus—shooting, defending, conditioning, leadership—aims to build a performance base that turns into explosive on-court moments.
Kentucky’s narrative mirrors Chandler’s journey: rebuilding, reinforcing culture, embracing adversity. Chandler is both player and symbol—taking the unconventional road, returning from mission, grinding through adaptation, integrating into a new system, and emerging as a cornerstone. He represents resilience and fidelity to program, embodying Pope’s ethos of servant leadership. As Kentucky rounds its lineup, Chandler is that essential puzzle piece: steady, improving, ready to elevate.
So, with no subheadings, allow me to close by saying this: Collin Chandler stands at the cusp of his breakout. He has the skill, the mindset, the support system, and the opportunity. Kentucky needs his dual‑role play, defensive tenacity, sharpshooting, and locker room stability. Above all, Chandler wants to lead—not with loud proclamations, but through consistent actions, stacked days, and clutch contributions. Big Blue Nation expects a big leap, and if Chandler’s freshman year arc is any indication, Year 2 could be transformative—for him, for Kentucky, and for postseason hopes. In February and March, expect a confident Chandler, one who knows exactly what he’s working on—and delivers on it, every night.
