Big Blue Nation, buckle up — because the Kentucky Wildcats may have just found their breakout star, and his name is Collin Chandler.
In a short but electrifying practice video posted by head coach Mark Pope, Chandler stole the show with a dazzling mix of highlight-reel dunks and no-look passes that had fans buzzing immediately. What made the footage so striking wasn’t just the athleticism — it was the confidence. Chandler looks like a player who has gone from shaking off rust to stepping into stardom.
And if this clip is any indication, Year 2 Chandler might be one of the most exciting stories in college basketball.
From Top Recruit to Two-Year Pause
Chandler’s journey has been anything but ordinary. A former top-35 national recruit and the No. 6 combo guard in his high school class, he had all the tools to be a star right away. But instead of heading directly into the college game, Chandler spent two years on a Mormon mission, stepping away from basketball entirely.
When he finally arrived at Kentucky for the 2024-25 season, he wasn’t the same polished guard fans remembered from recruiting rankings — he was a player searching for rhythm, conditioning, and confidence. His freshman campaign was more about rebuilding than dominating.
Yet even in the ups and downs, Chandler showed flashes. By the final stretch of the season, something started to click.
The Late-Season Spark
Over his last 11 games, Chandler gradually turned a corner. He played with more composure, attacked the rim with purpose, and showed the court vision that once made him such a coveted prospect.
It all built up to his nine-point performance in the NCAA Tournament’s opening round, a game that hinted at what was to come. He wasn’t a finished product, but he looked more and more like a guard who belonged.
That late-season momentum has now carried over into the offseason — and, judging by this new practice footage, Chandler has leveled up in a big way.
The Dunk Heard Around BBN
One particular play in the viral clip has already become legend: Chandler throwing down a poster dunk over teammate Andrija Jelavic. The moment spread quickly on social media, and Jelavic himself leaned into the hype, posting on Instagram:
“Welcome to SEC moment.”
For Wildcats fans, the dunk wasn’t just exciting — it was symbolic. This wasn’t the same rusty freshman they watched last year. This was a confident, explosive guard ready to make the SEC his stage.
Why Collin Chandler Fits Mark Pope’s Vision Perfectly
Mark Pope has made it clear he wants Kentucky to play fast, free-flowing, and relentless basketball. With the amount of depth and athleticism on this year’s roster, the Wildcats will look to push the pace, wear opponents down, and bury teams with waves of energy.
Chandler might be the perfect piece to bring that vision to life. His combination of:
Elite court vision — threading pinpoint passes to set up teammates.
Explosive finishing — attacking the rim with power and flair.
High basketball IQ — knowing when to push, when to pull back, and when to attack.
…makes him more than just a role player. It makes him a potential star in the system.
The Wildcard That Changes Kentucky’s Ceiling
Heading into this season, much of the talk around Kentucky has been about its loaded roster, experienced transfers, and promising freshmen. But every great team has a surprise element — the player who takes a leap and changes the conversation.
Collin Chandler could be that guy.
If he continues to play with this level of confidence and athleticism, Kentucky doesn’t just have another guard in the rotation. They have a dynamic playmaker who could swing big games in March.
For a program with championship expectations, that kind of breakout is the difference between being good and being elite.
BBN, Get Ready
From a two-year hiatus, to a rusty freshman year, to the viral dunk that has the SEC on notice — Chandler’s story is already one of the most fascinating in college basketball. But the best part? It feels like he’s just getting started.
If this practice footage is a preview of what’s to come, Collin Chandler isn’t just a player to watch. He’s a player who could redefine Kentucky’s season.
