Kentucky’s Collin Chandler Shines in Year 2 Under Mark Pope

Bassyonni

ago 3 hours

Kentucky’s Collin Chandler Shines in Year 2 Under Mark Pope

Collin Chandler, a standout guard for the Kentucky Wildcats, is making waves in his sophomore season under head coach Mark Pope. After spending two years away from competitive basketball on a Mormon mission, Chandler is now a crucial player for the team.

Chandler’s Impressive Comeback

Chandler faced significant challenges in his freshman year, playing only limited minutes as he adjusted to the collegiate game. However, during the 2024-25 season, he began to find his rhythm, logging significant playing time in the latter part of the season.

Early freshman season played only 10+ minutes in 7 out of 21 games.
Ended the season with significant contributions in 10 of the final 11 games.

Recent Highlights

This season, Chandler has started strong. He made four 3-pointers in each of Kentucky’s first three games. This achievement marks him as the first player in the program’s history to accomplish this feat.

Chandler shot 55.3% (26 for 47) from beyond the arc over a 14-game stretch.
His highlight-reel dunk in the season opener went viral and featured on SportsCenter.

Coaching Insights

Coach Mark Pope is confident in Chandler’s mental toughness and progress. He has observed significant growth, particularly in Chandler’s comfort level on the court. Pope stated, “The more I play, the more comfort I’m feeling,” which resonates with Chandler’s experience.

Future Goals

Despite his rapid development, Chandler aims to refine his skills further. His focus areas include enhancing his ball-handling and becoming a more consistent shooter, especially under contested conditions.

Aims to improve as a lockdown defender.
Wants to become proficient at navigating the floor off the bounce.

Conclusion

As Collin Chandler continues to evolve, both fans and teammates have recognized his importance to the team’s success. Under Mark Pope’s guidance, Chandler exemplifies resilience and dedication, aiming to elevate his game and contribute significantly to the Kentucky Wildcats in the ongoing season.