Official Statement from the University of Oklahoma Regarding the Beverage Can Incident Involving Kentucky’s Brandon Garrison

Norman, Oklahoma — March 1, 2025

The University of Oklahoma (OU) has issued the following statement in response to the unfortunate incident that took place during the recent men’s basketball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the University of Kentucky Wildcats, where a beverage can was thrown in the direction of Kentucky’s center, Brandon Garrison, narrowly missing him.

The event occurred late in the second half of a highly competitive and emotionally charged game at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman. The action was caught on camera and has been the subject of widespread attention both in the local and national media. While the university fully supports its student-athletes, coaching staff, and fans, we cannot and will not condone behavior that endangers the safety and well-being of anyone in the sports community, particularly the student-athletes who provide so much to the game.

The Incident: A Timeline of Events

The game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats had all the ingredients of a thrilling contest. Both teams were playing at a high level, with Kentucky’s Brandon Garrison contributing key moments on both ends of the floor. However, during a pivotal point in the second half, an unfortunate incident occurred that has since overshadowed the on-court action.

As the game entered its final minutes, with Oklahoma leading by a slim margin, tensions escalated among both the players and the fans in the arena. As Brandon Garrison prepared to inbound the ball following a timeout, a beverage can was seen hurled from the stands, narrowly missing the Kentucky player. The can, which appeared to have come from an Oklahoma section of the crowd, struck the floor near Garrison, causing a brief moment of confusion and concern on the court.

Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident. Garrison, visibly shaken, stepped back, and the game continued after a short delay. The referees immediately stopped play, and the game’s security team began reviewing the situation. As a result, the officials paused the game for several minutes to ensure that the arena was safe for the players to continue.

Oklahoma’s Response

Upon learning of the incident, the University of Oklahoma swiftly launched an internal investigation to identify the individual responsible for the dangerous behavior. The university’s athletic department, in partnership with campus security and local law enforcement, has since reviewed video footage, conducted interviews, and gathered statements from witnesses present in the arena.

“We are deeply disturbed by this incident and strongly condemn the actions of the individual involved. This behavior does not reflect the values of our institution, our athletic department, or the majority of our fans,” said Joe Castiglione, Director of Athletics at the University of Oklahoma. “As an institution, we are committed to ensuring that all events at our athletic facilities are conducted in a safe and respectful environment for everyone involved, including athletes, coaches, and spectators.”

Following the investigation, the university took swift action to address the matter. The individual responsible for throwing the beverage can has been identified and banned from all future sporting events at the University of Oklahoma. Additionally, the individual is being held accountable through the university’s student conduct process, and further disciplinary measures may be forthcoming depending on the outcomes of this process.

“While it is important that we respect and uphold the excitement of college athletics, we must never lose sight of the fact that these are young men and women, students, and athletes who deserve to compete in a safe and supportive environment,” Castiglione continued.

A Call for Accountability and Reflection

The University of Oklahoma has taken this incident as an opportunity to reflect on the broader culture surrounding college athletics, particularly the conduct of fans in highly charged environments. While the vast majority of Oklahoma supporters conduct themselves in a manner that reflects positively on the university, the actions of a few individuals can tarnish the reputation of an entire fan base. It is critical that the university, in conjunction with the student-athletes, coaching staff, and community, works to promote an atmosphere of sportsmanship, respect, and safety.

The Sooners’ athletic department is already working closely with campus leadership, the Big 12 Conference, and the NCAA to explore additional ways to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future. This includes a review of fan behavior policies, stronger enforcement of arena rules, and the potential for increased security measures at all home games. The university is also considering the implementation of educational programs to reinforce the importance of respectful behavior among fans.

“We are committed to ensuring that this type of incident is a rare exception and not a reflection of the conduct of our student body or fan base as a whole,” said Jennifer Trissel, the Vice President for Student Affairs. “This incident has made it clear that we must continue to prioritize safety and respect, both on the court and in the stands. We will work diligently to prevent such occurrences moving forward.”

The Impact on Brandon Garrison and Kentucky’s Response

Kentucky’s Brandon Garrison was understandably shaken by the incident, which took place in the heat of a highly competitive game. The center, who had been playing a key role for the Wildcats, was visibly disturbed after the can was thrown in his direction. Following the delay in the game, Garrison was able to continue playing, but the event left an emotional mark on both the player and his teammates.

In a statement following the game, Garrison acknowledged the unfortunate nature of the incident but expressed gratitude that he was unharmed.

“I want to thank the fans and everyone who has reached out to me to check in after tonight’s game. I know the vast majority of fans come to these games to support their teams and the sport, and it’s unfortunate that a few individuals made this a negative moment. I’m fine, and I look forward to continuing to play with my teammates and represent Kentucky with pride,” Garrison said.

Coach John Calipari of the University of Kentucky also addressed the incident in his postgame comments. “While we all understand the emotions that come with high-stakes games, there is absolutely no place in our sport, or in society, for actions like that. We’re grateful that Brandon was unharmed, and we commend the University of Oklahoma for taking swift action in addressing the situation.”

Oklahoma’s Commitment to Safe Sportsmanship

In response to the incident, the University of Oklahoma has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting positive fan behavior, sportsmanship, and the safety of all involved in college athletics. This includes implementing educational campaigns on the importance of supporting student-athletes in a respectful manner, both in the stands and on social media. The athletic department has committed to expanding these initiatives and engaging with the university community to ensure that incidents like this do not overshadow the spirit of college basketball.

Additionally, the university plans to introduce stricter policies for fan conduct at all home games, which will include increased penalties for disruptive behavior, including the throwing of objects onto the court. As part of this initiative, the university will also strengthen collaboration with local law enforcement to ensure that the highest standards of safety are upheld.

“The throwing of a beverage can was an isolated, shameful act,” said Castiglione. “We want to ensure that every fan, player, and coach feels safe and respected at every game. We will work hard to make sure that this kind of incident is prevented in the future.”

Moving Forward: A Renewed Focus on Community and Respect

As the University of Oklahoma looks forward to the rest of its athletic season, the institution remains focused on ensuring that the events of this game do not detract from the many positive experiences shared by student-athletes, coaches, fans, and the broader community. The university recognizes that this incident, while isolated, has drawn attention to important issues related to fan conduct, safety, and the broader culture of college athletics.

Moving forward, Oklahoma is committed to continuing its work to strengthen the culture of sportsmanship and respect that defines the Sooner Nation. This includes developing initiatives to support athletes both on and off the field, reinforcing the importance of responsible fan behavior, and ensuring that all games are played in an atmosphere where safety is a top priority.

The university would like to thank the overwhelming majority of fans who continue to support the Oklahoma Sooners with integrity and respect. The actions of one individual do not define the spirit of Oklahoma Athletics, and we remain proud of our passionate and dedicated fan base.

Conclusion: Moving Past the Incident

As we reflect on this regrettable incident, we are reminded of the importance of upholding the values of sportsmanship, respect, and safety in all aspects of college athletics. The University of Oklahoma is committed to learning from this experience and ensuring that our programs and events continue to be a source of pride for our students, alumni, and the entire community.

While the actions of one individual do not represent the collective spirit of Oklahoma Athletics, we acknowledge the need for continued vigilance in ensuring that all members of our community—whether athletes, coaches, fans, or visitors—can engage in a safe, respectful, and competitive environment.

The University of Oklahoma remains dedicated to fostering a culture of respect, accountability, and fairness in all of its athletic endeavors, and we will continue to work toward ensuring that such incidents are not repeated in the future.

Together, we will move forward with a renewed commitment to the values that make collegiate athletics a positive force in the lives of young people everywhere.

Signed,

Joe Castiglione
Director of Athletics
University of Oklahoma