We know Mark Pope is a great basketball mind. To find out if he can develop talent, look no further than Collin Chandler. Initially recruited by Pope at BYU, he spent two years on a Mormon mission trip before returning to college basketball. He became the first high-profile addition for Pope when he decided to […]
We know Mark Pope is a great basketball mind. To find out if he can develop talent, look no further than Collin Chandler.
Initially recruited by Pope at BYU, he spent two years on a Mormon mission trip before returning to college basketball. He became the first high-profile addition for Pope when he decided to transfer from BYU and begin his career at Kentucky.
Chandler was the No. 35 player in the 2022 recruiting class. It didn’t look like that at the start of his true freshman season. He was a fish out of water, indecisive with the ball in his hands, too hesitant to make a move. As backcourt injuries added up, Chandler was forced into action and survived the trial by fire in SEC play.
From Feb. 22 until the end of the season, Chandler shot 54% from three-point land. “He was pretty darn good defensively, then he started to figure it out offensively,” said KSR’s Brandon Ramsey. “Hey, we got a real shot-maker, playmaker.”
Chandler dropped bombs, knocking down 7-13 three-pointers in the postseason. He did not dominate, but showed flashes of greatness in spurts that can make Kentucky fans believe he can develop into an elite player.
“He’s kind of what you’re looking for in a modern-day 2-guard: 6-foot-5, athletic, can shoot, can pass, can defend,” Zack Geoghegan said in the latest KSR Film Breakdown.
“My favorite part about Collin Chandler is how he uses his eyes. That’s a real skill to be able to look off defenders and use your eyes to pass guys open. He’s so good at that. He’s an awesome defender, really fun, a long guy who’s quick.”
The lightbulb turned on for Collin Chandler at the end of his freshman season. What kind of player can he become as a sophomore?
“This is a future NBA player, no doubt about it,” said Ramsey. “I don’t know if it’s going to be after this year, or two years, three years from now. I don’t know if it’s going to be as a lottery pick, first-round pick, or second-round pick. Whatever it’s going to be, this dude is going to play in the NBA for a long time. He has the talent, athleticism, all that stuff.”
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Category: General Sports
