By SAM LANCE
Class of 2025 four-star forward Braydon Hawthorne has committed to Kentucky, he announced live to 247Sports.
Hawthorne, the 6-foot-8, 180-pound forward out of Huntington Prep (WV), was one of the highest rising prospects in rankings services during the 2025 cycle. He excels at finishing near the basket, but his perimeter game really developed his senior season. Hawthorne is now a three-level scorer and capable defender one-through-four. Per his X.com page, Hawthorne has a 7-foot-3 wingspan.
“Coach [Mark] Pope and his staff called me every single day,” Hawthorne said. “I had the strongest relationship with coach Pope and his staff. I talked to them probably just as much as I talked to my family before announcing. So that meant a lot to me. And I feel like I can reach out to them for anything.”
West Virginia commit 6’9” G Braydon Hawthorne (@BraydonH20) has big upside. Highly skilled for his size, proficient scorer, and has room for physical development.
NBA potential if he develops. pic.twitter.com/Iy0WENSc8v
— Basketball Finders (@BBallFinders) March 6, 2025
The four-star forward originally committed to West Virginia under Darian DeVries‘ staff, but he reopened his recruitment when DeVries took the Indiana job. Hawthorne took official visits to Duke, Kentucky, Pitt, Virginia Tech and West Virginia before making a final decision.
“Braydon is a high character, low maintenance kid,” Huntington Prep head coach Arkell Bruce told ZAGSBLOG. “Extremely hard worker with a chip on his shoulder. He’s a great student that excels in the classroom. On the court he competes and is a high level shooter that can make plays for himself and others. Any program will be luck to get him.”
Mark Pope has built an impressive four-man 2025 class, including international prospect Andrija Jelavic. Hawthorne, the No. 33 overall prospect in 2025, joins fellow high school hoopers and Kentucky natives Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno.
The Wildcats portal class consists of former Pitt guard Jaland Lowe, former Arizona State forward Jayden Quaintance, former Tulane forward Kam Williams, former Alabama forward Mo Dioubate and former Miami (OH) big man Reece Potter. Key returners could include Otega Oweh, who has yet to announce his NBA Draft intentions. If he comes back, returnees Brandon Garrison, Trent Noah and Collin Chandler would put Kentucky at 13 roster spots.
“If I come in and do what I got to do, then I will have an opportunity to play,” Hawthorne told 247Sports. “If not, I am going to put my head down and keep working and get ready for the next year and do what I can to support my team.”
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