From Sleeper to Star: Braydon Hawthorne Rockets Up Rankings, Commits to Kentucky
Just eight months ago, Braydon Hawthorne was a name flying under the radar a solid talent, ranked somewhere in the 70s nationally, with promise but little fanfare. Fast forward to today, and the 6-foot-8 forward with a 7-foot-3 wingspan has exploded onto the national scene and climbed to No. 38 in the class of 2025. Now, he’s the newest addition to Mark Pope’s loaded Kentucky roster.
On Tuesday night, Hawthorne announced his commitment live on 247Sports’ YouTube channel, choosing Kentucky over West Virginia, Duke, Pitt, and Virginia Tech. It marked a massive recruiting win for Pope, who continues to show that his reach and momentum on the recruiting trail is very real and very dangerous.
“His ability to shoot the ball is his greatest strength,” Hawthorne’s coach Arkell Bruce told KSR+. “That, and he’s coachable. He accepts coaching. He’s a yes-sir, no-sir type. You can coach him hard.”
A native of West Virginia, Hawthorne was previously committed to the Mountaineers before a coaching change in March 2025 opened the door for other suitors. Kentucky swooped in and made a strong impression during his official visit in mid-April. Ultimately, it was the combination of tradition, opportunity, and Pope’s vision that sealed the deal.
“Braydon Hawthorne is a unique player. A definite late-bloomer, someone who is already producing on the national stage, but his best basketball is still clearly in front of him,” said On3 national analyst Jamie Shaw.
Hawthorne becomes the 14th piece of the 2025-26 Kentucky puzzle, joining fellow four-star freshmen Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno. He brings true wing skills to the floor capable of self-creating in the half court, spacing the floor with his shot, and using his length to disrupt on defense. While he still needs to add strength and explosiveness, his instincts and fluidity make him an intriguing developmental weapon for the Wildcats.
With a projected roster now overflowing with size, athleticism, and versatility, Kentucky fans are rightfully buzzing. Whether Hawthorne cracks the rotation as a freshman or slowly grows into his role, his ceiling is sky-high. And if his trajectory over the past eight months is any indication, he’s just getting started.
Welcome to Lexington, Braydon Hawthorne. The Big Blue Nation has been waiting.
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