Reports: Pope snags BYU commit to play at Kentucky

April 16, 2024

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Mark Pope

FILE - BYU coach Mark Pope speaks during the Big 12 men's college basketball media day Oct. 18, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. Pope was negotiating with Kentucky to succeed John Calipari, multiple outlets reported Thursday night, April 11. Pope, who played for Kentucky's 1996 national championship team, was close to finalizing a deal, CBS Sports reported, citing anonymous sources. ESPN, also citing anonymous sources, also reported that an an agreement with Pope was expected. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

FILE - BYU coach Mark Pope speaks during the Big 12 men's college basketball media day Oct. 18, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. Pope was negotiating with Kentucky to succeed John Calipari, multiple outlets reported Thursday night, April 11. Pope, who played for Kentucky's 1996 national championship team, was close to finalizing a deal, CBS Sports reported, citing anonymous sources. ESPN, also citing anonymous sources, also reported that an an agreement with Pope was expected. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Several outlets are reporting Collin Chandler, a BYU basketball commit, has been released from his National Letter of Intent, and will join first year Kentucky Men’s Head Basketball Coach Mark Pope’s Wildcat team. Pope held the same job at BYU until being tapped for the position in Lexington.

Meantime, according to The Athletic, Chandler will be a 21-year old freshman. He recently posted about the commitment switch on his Instagram page.

“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! Go Wildcats!!!”

According to the Recruiting Services Consensus Index, Chandler was ranked 30th in the Class of 2022.

Chandler served the last two years on his Mormon mission.