Kentucky officially announces addition of Collin Chandler to 2024-25 roster

Collin Chandler has signed on the dotted line. The former BYU commit is officially a Kentucky Wildcat.

Head coach Mark Pope announced the addition of Chandler to Kentucky’s 2024-25 roster on Monday afternoon. A 6-foot-4 guard out of Utah, Chandler was originally a top 40 recruit from the 2022 recruiting class before going on a two-year mission. But the incoming freshman is now ready to make the jump to college basketball.

“Collin Chandler is one of the most talented high school players in the country,” Pope said in UK’s press release. “He has a silky-smooth jumper, a slippery ability to get to the rim, an explosive burst and the most impressive of all, he has incredible processing speed as he reads space and time and makes plays on pure instinct.

“Collin is the definition of a servant leader. He, on his own desire and expense, chose to leave basketball and his life to go and serve people in Africa and Europe for two years. It won’t take long for every Kentucky fan to feel his heart and his love for others. I absolutely cannot wait to coach a man and player like him.”

Chandler will have all four years of college eligibility remaining.

#BBN, meet @collinchand13r! pic.twitter.com/zM8gNRKjYE

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) April 22, 2024

Chandler originally committed to BYU in Nov. 2021 when Pope was still head coach of the Cougars. The former Farmington (UT) High School star — where he scored over 1,500 points, hit 135 three-pointers, and was tabbed Utah Gatorade Player of the Year in 2022 — then embarked on a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

All four major recruiting services considered Chandler a high-level four-star recruit at Farmington. The lowest he was ranked out of high school was 41st by Rivals with the highest being 29th by ESPN. The On3 Industry Ranking slotted him at 36th overall. He’ll have the chance to live up to that ranking on one of college basketball’s biggest stages.

“Growing up, my biggest dream was to play against the best players in the world,” Chandler said when he first committed to the Wildcats on April 16, according to UK. “I am beyond grateful to be given the opportunity to do just that. Through the past couple of days, the path I had before envisioned has been blurred. After talking with my family and many prayers, this vision has become clearer than ever. I am humbled to get the opportunity to continue this journey at the University of Kentucky.”

Chandler is Kentucky’s second signee for the 2024-25 season. In-state star Travis Perry signed his National Letter of Intent before Pope arrived in Lexington, although the expectation is he’ll stick around with the ‘Cats. Additionally, Pope received a commitment from Drexel transfer Amari Williams on Sunday.