College basketball isn’t just about what happens during the game—it’s about the experiences and bonds that shape players long after the final buzzer. One University of Kentucky player’s recent personal milestone highlights that truth.

Collin Chandler, a 6’5″ guard who just wrapped up his first season with the Wildcats, recently celebrated a major life moment: he got married. Though he played in 30 games and averaged just over 10 minutes per outing, his time in Lexington gave him more than just court time.

This past Saturday, the University of Kentucky Men’s Basketball team acknowledged Chandler’s wedding, offering a warm shout-out to him and his new wife, Hannah, through a post on social media. “Congratulations to the Chandlers,” read the message shared on X.

Chandler’s journey to Kentucky has been a unique one. A standout high school player in Utah, he earned the state’s Mr. Basketball title after averaging nearly 22 points a game. Initially, he had committed to BYU, planning to play for then-coach Mark Pope.

However, things changed when Pope accepted the head coaching role at Kentucky. Chandler withdrew from his commitment to BYU and followed Pope to Lexington after completing a two-year religious mission in Sierra Leone with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Coach Pope, a former Kentucky player himself, is entering his second year leading the Wildcats. After compiling 110 wins at BYU, his first season in the SEC saw Kentucky finish with a 24-12 record, ending their NCAA Tournament run in the Sweet 16 against Tennessee.

Looking ahead, Kentucky has reloaded through the transfer portal. According to rankings from 247Sports, the Wildcats’ new additions place them fourth nationally, trailing only St. John’s, Michigan, and Louisville. The class features several top-tier recruits, including five-star prospect Jayden Quaintance from Arizona State.