Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope recently provided updates on the health status of two key players: point guard Kerr Kriisa and sophomore center Brandon Garrison. During his Monday call-in show, Pope shared that Kriisa, who underwent foot surgery following an injury on December 7th, is progressing well in his rehabilitation. However, Kriisa is not expected to return to play this week, with a potential return anticipated for mid-to-late January.
Regarding Brandon Garrison, Pope revealed that the sophomore center is dealing with minor injuries. He emphasized that these issues are not severe enough to sideline Garrison, stating, “Nothing serious, but he’s dealing with a few things.”
Garrison has been a valuable contributor to the Wildcats this season, averaging 5.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. His presence on the court has been significant, providing the team with crucial minutes and performances in key moments.
Pope expressed optimism about Garrison’s potential and development, noting, “Brandon Garrison is incredibly talented. He’s growing really fast. His ceiling is so high, so it’s been fun for him to kind of learn us and learn how we’re playing and learning how he fits into all of this.”
Earlier in the season, Garrison was sidelined for a game against Georgia State due to soreness, with the coaching staff opting for precautionary measures. At that time, Pope announced Garrison’s absence following his appearance in sweats during pregame warmups. In the six games he had played up to that point, Garrison averaged 6.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game.
As the Wildcats prepare to begin SEC play, starting with a game against the Florida Gators, the health and availability of players like Garrison will be crucial. The team is hopeful that these minor injuries will not escalate, allowing Garrison to continue his development and contribute significantly to the team’s success. Pope’s comments suggest a cautious but optimistic approach, aiming to ensure that Garrison remains a pivotal part of the Wildcats’ lineup without risking further injury.
In summary, while Brandon Garrison is currently managing minor injuries, the coaching staff does not expect these issues to impede his participation in upcoming games. Coach Pope’s confidence in Garrison’s talent and growth indicates that the team anticipates his continued contributions as they advance into the more demanding conference schedule.
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