Can Kentucky claim another top 50 recruit?
Another recruiting domino is set to fall tonight, and Big Blue Nation will want to be watching closely.
Braydon Hawthorne, a rising 6-foot-8, 175-pound wing from West Virginia, will announce his college decision at 7 p.m. ET live on 247Sports. The former West Virginia commit is down to five finalists: Kentucky, Duke, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Pittsburgh.
And while West Virginia and Virginia Tech appear to be the favorites, Mark Pope and the Wildcats are lurking.
A rapid rise
Hawthorne’s senior year was nothing short of a breakout. He climbed all nearly 40 spots in the ranking, ending a 4 star wing. Thanks to his combination of length, versatility, and two-way potential several big name teams came calling.
He originally pledged to West Virginia under then-head coach Darian DeVries, but when DeVries left Morgantown for Indiana this spring, Hawthorne reopened his recruitment—though he’s kept WVU in the mix.
Now, he’s got five high-major suitors vying for his services. And for Kentucky, the opportunity to land a high-upside, multi-year wing who can defend multiple positions and develop into a key contributor down the line is an appealing one.
Kentucky’s pitch
While Kentucky already boasts one of the top freshman and transfer classes in the country, Pope is clearly interested in continuing to build for both now and the future. Hawthorne may not come in and start Day 1, but with his motor, length, and work ethic, he could be an ideal fit for a development role in Lexington.
If injuries hit—as they did last season—players like Hawthorne can quickly become difference-makers. And with Mark Pope’s history of investing in players over multiple seasons, Kentucky may offer something the blue bloods don’t always promise: real patience and long-term growth.
Still, it might not be enough to lure Hawthorne away from the familiarity of West Virginia or the ACC’s Virginia Tech.
How to watch
Braydon Hawthorne will go live on 247Sports at 7 p.m. ET tonight to reveal his decision. You can watch the announcement or stream it through their YouTube and social media channels.
So, will BBN be adding another piece to an already loaded class? Will Pope pull off another quiet recruiting win?
We’ll find out tonight.