ESPN 100 wing Hawthorne dedicates to Kentucky
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Jeff Borzello Close Jeff Borzello ESPN Personnel Author Basketball recruiting expert. Joined ESPN in 2014. Graduate of University of Delaware.Paul Biancardi Close Paul Biancardi Basketball Recruiting National Recruiting Director for ESPN.com 18 years of training experience at Division I
level Previous Horizon League coach of the year at Wright State May 20, 2025, 08:36 PM
- ET ESPN 100 wing Braydon Hawthorne, one of the fastest-rising prospects in the senior class, announced his commitment to Kentucky on Tuesday.Hawthorne initially signed with West Virginia last fall, but decommitted from the Mountaineers after Darian DeVries left for Indiana. After resuming his recruitment, Hawthorne took visits to Kentucky, Duke, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, in addition to West Virginia under brand-new coach Ross Hodge.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated But Kentucky coach Mark Pope made Hawthorne a concern immediately after he returned on the market and continued his pursuit over the last 2 months.”When I decommitted from West Virginia when there was a training modification, Mark Pope was the first
head coach
to call. That suggested a lot,”Hawthorne informed ESPN.” [Assistant coach] Jason Hart’s been hiring me for a long time and the
entire personnel has actually been fantastic.” “I have a terrific relationship with Coach Pope and the staff. We have had many conversations about basketball and life. I have actually been a long-lasting Kentucky fan. This implies everything to me.”When Hawthorne first devoted to West Virginia, the other schools included were Old Rule and Ohio University. However the 6-foot-8 wing had a fantastic senior season at Huntington Prep (West Virginia)and rose into the ESPN 100 rankings, slotting in at No. 81. A
late-blooming prospect with elite physical measurables, movement, athleticism and developing scoring skills, Hawthorne can play either forward position and is effective both in the paint and the border. He covers ground and diminishes the flooring on defense, with the ability to create deflections, steals and obstructed shots with his length and athleticism. As his frame fills out and his abilities develop, he has possible NBA upside.” His 7-3 wingspan and upside get attention, and his production is reaching his capacity, “Huntington assistant coach Dustin Woody stated. Pope and Kentucky are bringing in 10 brand-new players for the 2025-26 season, including six transfers and a top-10 recruiting class.Hawthorne is the 3rd ESPN 100 possibility in Kentucky’s 2025 class, joining Jasper Johnson( No. 18)and Malachi Moreno(No. 25 ). International prospect Andrija Jelavic is likewise part of the Wildcats ‘inbound class.”They see me as a versatile piece that can play multiple positions, “Hawthorne said.”I know I need to earn my playing time and I
‘m willing to work for it.”