Collin Chandler will finally travel to Provo, more than four and a half years after committing to BYU as a high school senior. The Kentucky transfer confirmed his decision to BYU Saturday morning.
Collin has spent the last two years in Kentucky, and his freshman to sophomore year performance improved significantly. Collin had been committed to BYU for over two years, including while serving a mission. He moved to Kentucky with Mark Pope after returning home two years ago.
Collin averaged 2. 7 points as a freshman before making a significant improvement as a sophomore. Collin started 31 of 36 games for Kentucky, averaging 9. 7 points while shooting 73-178 (41%) from three-point range. Collin’s future at BYU will be similar to the team’s support for Richie Saunders. Saunders scored 9. 6 points and shot 36% from three-point range as a sophomore at BYU. Richie was chosen Big 12 Most Improved Player as a junior, averaging 16. 5 points after Kevin Young arrived at BYU. Collin is not the same player as Richie, but he has the ability to make a Richie climb this season.
Collin will join in immediately and play as the two guard alongside 5-Star winger Bruce Branch, creating a strong shooting partnership. Collin was one of the SEC’s finest shooters last season, hitting 46% from three-point range in league play (2nd in the SEC). Spot-up shooting was one of his key duties at Kentucky, but he possesses the abilities and athleticism to develop his game at BYU. Collin is a strong athlete capable of finishing above the rim, and BYU will place him in places where he can use his leaping ability. One scout informed me this season that Kevin Young’s system is a “perfect” match for Collin Chandler and will highlight his shooting and physical capabilities.
Collin is described as 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds. He can get caught out of position on defense and out-physicaled by larger guards, thus those are two areas in which he can improve, and BYU will need to develop around as they complete the team. Collin will need to work on generating separation off the dribble as well as his overall defense, but he has the talents and attitude to make the transition to an All-Big 12 level player.
Collin was also not hesitant to take clutch attempts this season, scoring several critical baskets for the Wildcats. Here are a few of the late-game baskets he made.
