Former Utah Mr. Basketball Collin Chandler has completed his transfer from the University of Kentucky to BYU, marking a return to the Cougars program where he was once a top-rated recruit. The 22-year-old shooting guard moves to Provo following two seasons in the Kentucky Wildcats rotation.
Chandler's recruitment and coaching changes
Chandler's journey back to BYU follows a period of significant movement between programs and coaching changes. According to Wikipedia, the Farmington High School standout originally committed to play for head coach Mark Pope at BYU before serving a two-year Latter-Day Saint mission in Sierra Leone.
Shortly before his expected return from his mission, Chandler changed his commitment to Kentucky. This shift occurred after Pope had recently departed BYU to take over the Wildcats program. The move followed a period where Chandler was considered one of the highest-rated recruits to commit to BYU since Eric Mika in 2013.
Statistical growth at Kentucky
During his time at Kentucky, Chandler transitioned from a reserve player to a starter. In his freshman season, which began in June 2024, he appeared in 30 games, all coming off the bench, while averaging 2.7 points per game.
As reported by Deseret News in April 2026, Chandler eventually entered his sophomore season as the Wildcats' starting point guard due to an injury to projected starter Jaland Lowe. During that sophomore campaign, he improved his statistical output, averaging 9.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting 41% from three-point range.
Highlights of Kentucky tenure
The transfer marks the end of Chandler's tenure in Lexington. While at Kentucky, Chandler was a frequent contributor to the Wildcats' offense, as noted by ESPN highlights which documented several high-impact plays including a career-high 23-point performance and various three-pointers against teams like South Carolina and Vanderbilt.
High school accolades and stats
Despite his success on the court for the Wildcats, the decision to transfer back to BYU brings the shooting guard back to the state where he first gained prominence. Chandler's high school career at Farmington was marked by significant individual accolades, including being named Utah Mr. Basketball in 2022.
Competitive recruitment history
Chandler's high school statistics reflected his status as a premier recruit. During his junior season at Farmington, he averaged 22.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. As a senior, his production included 21.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.
His recruitment was highly competitive, with the four-star prospect receiving offers from several major programs including Utah, Arizona, Stanford, and Utah State before his initial commitment to BYU.
Future outlook at BYU
Chandler joins the BYU Cougars roster for the 2026-2027 season. The move reunites the former Utah Mr. Basketball with a program that has long been a part of his collegiate trajectory, following his two-year stint in the SEC.
