‘Here Comes the Boom’: How Kentucky Stole Braydon Hawthorne & Who’s Next on the Radar
In the latest episode of Here Comes the Boom, recruiting insider Jacob Polacheck breaks down the electric twist in Braydon Hawthorne’s recruitment a saga that saw Kentucky surge late to steal the lightning-quick guard from under West Virginia’s nose.
For weeks, Hawthorne looked like a lock to stay close to home and play for the Mountaineers. But as the recruiting calendar wore on, Kentucky’s staff made a full-court press that proved too powerful to ignore. According to Polacheck, the Wildcats weren’t even in the lead until the final stretch but when it mattered most, they showed up with the vision, the plan, and the pitch that sold Hawthorne on becoming a Wildcat.
“Braydon is a game-changer, and Mark Pope made him feel like a cornerstone,” Polacheck said. “The way Kentucky closed the gap late was huge they got him on campus, they laid out the development track, and that’s what flipped it.”
The commitment is a major win for Pope and Kentucky, especially as Hawthorne has been one of the fastest-rising guards in the 2025 class. His explosive scoring and fearless pace have drawn comparisons to former UK star De’Aaron Fox.
But Hawthorne’s story is just one piece of a much larger puzzle.
Polacheck also delves into the most recent live period and how it’s reshaping Kentucky’s recruiting board. Among the names heating up are five-star wing Tyran Stokes, electric combo guard Jason Crowe Jr., smooth shooting Jordan Smith Jr., and versatile forward Christian Collins.
“Tyran Stokes is still a top priority no question,” Polacheck explained. “But Kentucky’s also doing their homework. They’re not putting all their eggs in one basket. Crowe’s rise this spring has caught a lot of attention, and Smith Jr. might be the best pure scorer on their board.”
Polacheck also hinted at new names beginning to gain traction with UK, as Pope and his staff cast a wide net looking for both elite talent and the right fits for their modern system.
“There are a few under-the-radar guys who are getting serious evaluation from Kentucky now,” Polacheck added. “They’re not just chasing stars. They’re looking for guys who can grow in this system and thrive in big moments.”
As the summer recruiting circuit heats up, Kentucky fans have plenty to watch for. The Cats already landed a cornerstone in Braydon Hawthorne and if momentum continues, more big names could be on the way to Lexington.
Stay tuned. This class is just getting started.
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