BIG BLUE NATION REJOICES AS BRAYDON HAWTHORNE — ELITE FOUR‑STAR FORWARD — COMMITS TO KENTUCKY WILDCATS…..READ MORE….

BIG BLUE NATION REJOICES AS BRAYDON HAWTHORNE — ELITE FOUR‑STAR FORWARD — COMMITS TO KENTUCKY WILDCATS…..READ MORE….

Lexington, KY — June 26, 2025

Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope delivered an electrifying boost to Big Blue Nation Thursday by landing Braydon Hawthorne, the No. 33-ranked four-star forward in the 2025 recruiting class, hailing from Huntington, West Virginia. Hawthorne’s commitment marks a major recruiting win for the Wildcats, coming after holds from Duke, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and Pittsburgh .

Standing 6-foot-8 with a polished inside game and nimble footwork, Hawthorne averaged strong numbers this spring before decommitting from West Virginia—following the departure of head coach Darian DeVries—and reopening his recruiting cycle . He becomes the fourth high-school recruit in this class to commit to UK, joining Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno, and Croatian forward Andrija Jelavić .

“Braydon adds another high-character piece to our roster—versatile, skilled and ready to compete at the highest level,” Pope said. “He fits our vision of bringing together talent, toughness, and traditions. He’s exactly who we want in Lexington.”

Hawthorne shined in high school as a stretch-forward capable of scoring in the post, stepping out for mid-range jumpers, and knocking down threes. His motor earned him acclaim—for instance, averaging nearly 20 points per game in his junior season and impressing scouts with his footwork and defensive instincts .

With Hawthorne’s commitment, Kentucky’s 2025 high‑school recruiting class now ranks among the nation’s elite—positioning the Wildcats with one of the top overall recruiting classes for the upcoming season . Paired with a stacked portal class that includes high-impact transfers like Jayden Quaintance, Jaland Lowe, Denzel Aberdeen, Mouhamed Dioubate, Andrija Jelavić, Malachi Moreno, and others, the program has taken significant strides in roster reconstruction .

Hawthorne’s addition also provides balance: a high-upside forward with size and shooting who can contribute immediately in rotations that already feature length and defensive toughness. Analysts believe his ability to stretch the defense, rebound, and guard multiple positions will give Pope more flexibility in lineup combinations.

Fans quickly took to social media, celebrating the commitment with highlight reels and praise: “UK gets the balanced forward they needed! 👏,” one fan tweeted. Another noted: “This is a steal—Hawthorne is going to surprise a lot of people next season.” Big Blue Nation’s enthusiasm underscores the belief that Hawthorne could be a key piece in UK’s pursuit of a ninth national championship.

As Kentucky continues to build momentum in the postseason and off-season, Hawthorne’s decision reaffirms coach Pope’s recruiting vision—one rooted in combining elite high school talent with seasoned college transfers. With such depth and versatility emerging, the Wildcats’ roster outlook has never looked brighter.

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