Collin Chandler is Mark Pope’s first recruiting win at Kentucky

The one the Big Blue Nation and the Kentucky basketball program had been waiting for finally arrived on Thursday. BYU wing Jaxson Robinson committed to Kentucky after withdrawing his name from the 2024 NBA Draft. The latest addition for the Wildcats was a big one.

The 2023-24 Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year led the Cougars in points (14.2), field goals (164), and three-point field goals (81). Despite coming off the bench, Robinson ranked second on the team in minutes (26.4) on .426/.354/.908 shooting splits. The super senior will now play for Mark Pope for the third year in a row after announcing his commitment to the Wildcats.

Kentucky announced the latest signing on Friday. Pope is very excited about this addition.

“Jaxson Robinson has been one of the most improved players in the country for two straight years and is barely scratching the surface of his potential. His growth trajectory is incredible. He is an elite level shooter, is increasingly dangerous off the bounce and at the rim and has the potential to become a big-time playmaker. Jaxson guards with length and balance and understands how important it is to build strong relationships with his teammates. On a personal level, I’m so excited I get to finish his college journey with him in pursuit of Kentucky’s ninth national championship.”

Kentucky head coach Mark Pope

After beginning his career at Texas A&M, the former top-100 recruit transferred to Arkansas for his sophomore season before ultimately landing at BYU. Jaxson Robinson spent two years in Provo playing in 66 total games for Pope. After starting in 2022-23, Robinson shifted to the bench and became BYU’s best player as a true senior. The veteran will now spend his final season of college basketball at Kentucky.

Jaxson Robinson is the ninth transfer to join the Kentucky basketball program this offseason. The BYU transfer is part of a deep transfer class that includes Ansley Almonor (Fairleigh Dickinson), Koby Brea (Dayton), Lamont Butler (San Diego State), Andrew Carr (Wake Forest), Brandon Garrison (Oklahoma State), Kerr Kriisa (West Virginia), Otega Oweh (Oklahoma), and Amari Williams (Drexel). Robinson, Brea, Butler, Carr, Kriisa, and Williams will all be super seniors in 2024-25. Kentucky will be one of the oldest teams in college basketball during Pope’s first season in Lexington.

The latest addition gives the Wildcats a player with SEC experience, familiarity with the current coaching staff, and positional versatility on the wing. Jaxson Robinson is a proven high-level player who immediately improves Kentucky’s roster depth and gives Pope’s first team some potential star power.