The **Kentucky Wildcats** have just strengthened their **2025-26 roster** with the addition of **four-star forward Braydon Hawthorne**, a move that has fans and analysts buzzing with excitement. Hawthorne, ranked **No. 33 overall in the 2025 class**, committed to Kentucky over **Duke, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, and Pittsburgh**, marking another major recruiting win for **head coach Mark Pope** [A](https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/article/kentucky-lands-no-33-ranked-braydon-hawthorne-to-complete-2025-class-250127490/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJEUlpNMkx3eG50MTZmS1Y1SHh6UUUiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC8yNDdzcG9ydHMuY29tXC9jb2xsZWdlXC9iYXNrZXRiYWxsXC9yZWNydWl0aW5nXC9hcnRpY2xlXC9rZW50dWNreS1sYW5kcy1uby0zMy1yYW5rZWQtYnJheWRvbi1oYXd0aG9ybmUtdG8tY29tcGxldGUtMjAyNS1jbGFzcy0yNTAxMjc0OTBcLyIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19tZXNzYWdlSWQiOiJzUVgxU0Q1aVVkaFJtZm1pbkhuQ2QifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1) [B](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/kentucky-basketball-recruiting-braydon-hawthornes-commitment-marks-latest-offseason-win-for-mark-pope/ar-AA1Fa0GV?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoic1FYMVNENWlVZGhSbWZtaW5IbkNkIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiRFJaTTJMd3hudDE2ZktWNUh4elFFIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL290aGVyXC9rZW50dWNreS1iYXNrZXRiYWxsLXJlY3J1aXRpbmctYnJheWRvbi1oYXd0aG9ybmVzLWNvbW1pdG1lbnQtbWFya3MtbGF0ZXN0LW9mZnNlYXNvbi13aW4tZm9yLW1hcmstcG9wZVwvYXItQUExRmEwR1YiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### **A Rising Star Joins the Wildcats**
Hawthorne, a **6-foot-8, 175-pound small forward** from **Huntington Prep**, has been one of the biggest risers in the 2025 recruiting class. His **versatility, length, and ability to stretch the floor** make him a valuable asset for Kentuckyโs already stacked roster. With a **7-foot-3 wingspan**, Hawthorne has the tools to be an elite **two-way player**, capable of **scoring off the dribble, passing efficiently, and defending multiple positions** [A](https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/article/kentucky-lands-no-33-ranked-braydon-hawthorne-to-complete-2025-class-250127490/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC8yNDdzcG9ydHMuY29tXC9jb2xsZWdlXC9iYXNrZXRiYWxsXC9yZWNydWl0aW5nXC9hcnRpY2xlXC9rZW50dWNreS1sYW5kcy1uby0zMy1yYW5rZWQtYnJheWRvbi1oYXd0aG9ybmUtdG8tY29tcGxldGUtMjAyNS1jbGFzcy0yNTAxMjc0OTBcLyIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jbGlja1NvdXJjZSI6ImNpdGF0aW9uTGluayIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jb252ZXJzYXRpb25JZCI6IkRSWk0yTHd4bnQxNmZLVjVIeHpRRSIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19tZXNzYWdlSWQiOiJzUVgxU0Q1aVVkaFJtZm1pbkhuQ2QifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
His commitment comes after a breakout high school season, where he climbed from **outside the Top 150** to being recognized as one of the **top long-term prospects** in the country. His rapid development and competitive edge have made him a highly sought-after recruit [A](https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/article/kentucky-lands-no-33-ranked-braydon-hawthorne-to-complete-2025-class-250127490/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC8yNDdzcG9ydHMuY29tXC9jb2xsZWdlXC9iYXNrZXRiYWxsXC9yZWNydWl0aW5nXC9hcnRpY2xlXC9rZW50dWNreS1sYW5kcy1uby0zMy1yYW5rZWQtYnJheWRvbi1oYXd0aG9ybmUtdG8tY29tcGxldGUtMjAyNS1jbGFzcy0yNTAxMjc0OTBcLyIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jb252ZXJzYXRpb25JZCI6IkRSWk0yTHd4bnQxNmZLVjVIeHpRRSIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19tZXNzYWdlSWQiOiJzUVgxU0Q1aVVkaFJtZm1pbkhuQ2QifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### **Kentuckyโs Loaded 2025-26 Roster**
With Hawthorneโs addition, Kentucky now boasts **one of the deepest rosters in the nation**. The Wildcats have successfully blended **high school recruits, transfer portal additions, and returning players**, creating a team that is more than capable of competing for a **national championship** [C](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/basketball/mark-pope-has-a-good-problem-on-his-hands-with-the-2025-26-kentucky-roster/ar-AA1FhUmF?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJEUlpNMkx3eG50MTZmS1Y1SHh6UUUiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoic1FYMVNENWlVZGhSbWZtaW5IbkNkIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL2Jhc2tldGJhbGxcL21hcmstcG9wZS1oYXMtYS1nb29kLXByb2JsZW0tb24taGlzLWhhbmRzLXdpdGgtdGhlLTIwMjUtMjYta2VudHVja3ktcm9zdGVyXC9hci1BQTFGaFVtRiJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
Kentuckyโs **starting lineup** is expected to feature **Jaland Lowe, Otega Oweh, and Jayden Quaintance**, with fierce competition for the remaining spots. Hawthorne joins a roster filled with **elite talent**, ensuring that Kentucky will have **depth at every position**โa luxury that was missing last season [C](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/basketball/mark-pope-has-a-good-problem-on-his-hands-with-the-2025-26-kentucky-roster/ar-AA1FhUmF?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoic1FYMVNENWlVZGhSbWZtaW5IbkNkIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiRFJaTTJMd3hudDE2ZktWNUh4elFFIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL2Jhc2tldGJhbGxcL21hcmstcG9wZS1oYXMtYS1nb29kLXByb2JsZW0tb24taGlzLWhhbmRzLXdpdGgtdGhlLTIwMjUtMjYta2VudHVja3ktcm9zdGVyXC9hci1BQTFGaFVtRiJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### **Hawthorneโs Role and Future Impact**
While Hawthorne may not be expected to play a **major role immediately**, his **development and physical growth** will determine his impact in the coming seasons. He has expressed his commitment to **working hard, gaining strength, and earning his place** in Kentuckyโs rotation [A](https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/article/kentucky-lands-no-33-ranked-braydon-hawthorne-to-complete-2025-class-250127490/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoic1FYMVNENWlVZGhSbWZtaW5IbkNkIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvMjQ3c3BvcnRzLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvYmFza2V0YmFsbFwvcmVjcnVpdGluZ1wvYXJ0aWNsZVwva2VudHVja3ktbGFuZHMtbm8tMzMtcmFua2VkLWJyYXlkb24taGF3dGhvcm5lLXRvLWNvbXBsZXRlLTIwMjUtY2xhc3MtMjUwMTI3NDkwXC8iLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJEUlpNMkx3eG50MTZmS1Y1SHh6UUUiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
“If I come in and do what I got to do, then I will have an opportunity to play,” Hawthorne said. “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” [A](https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/article/kentucky-lands-no-33-ranked-braydon-hawthorne-to-complete-2025-class-250127490/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoic1FYMVNENWlVZGhSbWZtaW5IbkNkIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvMjQ3c3BvcnRzLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvYmFza2V0YmFsbFwvcmVjcnVpdGluZ1wvYXJ0aWNsZVwva2VudHVja3ktbGFuZHMtbm8tMzMtcmFua2VkLWJyYXlkb24taGF3dGhvcm5lLXRvLWNvbXBsZXRlLTIwMjUtY2xhc3MtMjUwMTI3NDkwXC8iLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJEUlpNMkx3eG50MTZmS1Y1SHh6UUUiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### **Looking Ahead**
With **Mark Popeโs aggressive recruiting strategy**, Kentucky has positioned itself as a **national title contender**. Hawthorneโs commitment adds another layer of **depth and versatility**, ensuring that the Wildcats remain **one of the most feared teams in college basketball**.
As the **2025-26 season approaches**, all eyes will be on Kentucky to see how this **stacked roster** performs. With **elite talent, strong coaching, and a winning mentality**, the Wildcats are ready to make a serious run at **banner No. 9** [A](https://247sports.com/college/basketball/recruiting/article/kentucky-lands-no-33-ranked-braydon-hawthorne-to-complete-2025-class-250127490/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC8yNDdzcG9ydHMuY29tXC9jb2xsZWdlXC9iYXNrZXRiYWxsXC9yZWNydWl0aW5nXC9hcnRpY2xlXC9rZW50dWNreS1sYW5kcy1uby0zMy1yYW5rZWQtYnJheWRvbi1oYXd0aG9ybmUtdG8tY29tcGxldGUtMjAyNS1jbGFzcy0yNTAxMjc0OTBcLyIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19jb252ZXJzYXRpb25JZCI6IkRSWk0yTHd4bnQxNmZLVjVIeHpRRSIsImV2ZW50SW5mb19tZXNzYWdlSWQiOiJzUVgxU0Q1aVVkaFJtZm1pbkhuQ2QifQ%3D%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
