BOOM!

Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats have landed a big-time commitment from 4-star small forward Braydon Hawthorne.

Hawthorne comes in as On3’s 35th overall recruit but has an incredibly high upside at the college level.

The Huntington, West Virginia prospect chose Kentucky over schools like Duke, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and Pittsburgh.

Hawthorne had incredibly high praise for Mark Pope, and the head coach was a deciding factor in the newest commit.

“I have a great relationship with Coach Pope and the staff. We have had many conversations about basketball and life. I have been a lifelong Kentucky fan. This means everything to me,” per Paul Biancardi via Twitter.

Now, let’s see what the rest of the Twitter world has to say about the newest Kentucky Wildcat.

NEWS: 4⭐️ Braydon Hawthorne, On3’s No. 35 overall recruit in the 2025 class, has committed to Kentucky, he announced.

The 6-8 Small Forward is a high-upside prospect with a 7-3 wingspan. Former West Virginia signee. https://t.co/ShfLkgUHgJ pic.twitter.com/2nyc3dMY0G

— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) May 20, 2025

Braydon Hawthorne on why he chose Kentucky:

“Coach Popes personality is amazing. Before I was ranked Jason Hart was onto me in July, that means alot to me too.”

We got a good one. pic.twitter.com/cdhBJTyvtY

— Casey (@BleedBlueCasey) May 20, 2025

The WVU ➡️ Kentucky pipeline continues

Oscar Tshiebwe
Tre Mitchell
Kerr Kriisa
Braydon Hawthorne**

** – (im counting it)

— Ethan Bock (@ethanbock_) May 20, 2025

Let’s Welcome 6’8 Forward
Hunnington Prep Beast
Braydon Hawthorne
Number 33 Overall Complete Beast
Amazing Scored
So Much Untapped Potentil
Where Do yall think he falls in rotation
Congrats Braydon!!!

— Jasper Enthusiast (@KentuckyEd78486) May 20, 2025

There’s no ifs ands or buts about it.. Braydon Hawthorne’s commitment to Kentucky is a tough look for Pittsburgh and West Virginia.

Go be the 11th guy at UK or maybe start for an ACC/Big XII team. Tough stuff for them.

— T.J. Walker (@TJWalkerRadio) May 20, 2025

Braydon Hawthorne very reminiscent of Adou Thiero, not in terms of game or physical profile, but just as a late-bloomer with a lot of long-term upside and translatable skills that feels like a major last-minute steal for Kentucky.

— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) May 21, 2025

Kentucky adds top 40 prospect, Braydon Hawthorne, to an already loaded roster!

A big testament to this staff on getting him to buy in. Assistant Jason Hart played a key role in this recruitment.

The Wildcats will have a title contender in year two of the Mark Pope era. pic.twitter.com/LzI0mn7WkW

— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) May 20, 2025

It is clear Mark Pope and his staff are working incredibly hard to assemble a loaded roster, and bringing in a guy like Hawthorne only amplifies that.

Welcome to BBN, Braydon!!!