**Mark Pope’s Key Advice for Brandon Garrison: Patience and Fewer Hand-Slams in Post-Game Development**
In a recent discussion about the future development of Brandon Garrison, Kentucky men’s basketball head coach Mark Pope emphasized the importance of patience and refining Garrison’s post-game approach. Pope, known for his hands-on coaching style, has been working closely with the freshman center to help him unlock his full potential.
One of Pope’s key points of focus is Garrison’s tendency to slap the floor with his hands after missed opportunities. While this type of frustration is not unusual for young players, Pope stresses that channeling this energy into productive growth is essential. According to Pope, this hand-slamming behavior is a sign of impatience, which can hinder a player’s ability to execute under pressure.
“Brandon’s got a lot of raw talent,” Pope said. “But part of what makes a great post player is being able to stay composed and make smart decisions even when the game doesn’t go your way. Instead of focusing on mistakes, it’s about moving on and doing the work to fix those mistakes.”
The focus now is on teaching Garrison how to remain calm and collected, even in high-stakes situations. Pope has been working with Garrison on improving his footwork, understanding defensive schemes, and developing a more polished offensive game around the basket. These are all skills that require patience and a steady mindset—qualities that Pope believes will make Garrison an even stronger player in the long run.
Garrison, for his part, has shown a willingness to embrace Pope’s coaching philosophy. “It’s hard at first, but I know Coach Pope is just trying to make me better,” Garrison said. “It’s all about staying in the moment, not letting frustration take over, and trusting the process.”
As Garrison continues to grow and adjust to the demands of college basketball, Pope’s mentorship will be crucial in shaping his future. Patience, attention to detail, and composure will be key in helping him evolve into the dominant post player Kentucky fans are hoping to see.
