Kentucky Secures Commitment from 4-Star Forward Braydon Hawthorne, Boosting 2025 Recruiting Class
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Bluegrass State buzzed with anticipation today as news broke that Braydon Hawthorne, a dominant 6’9″ four-star forward out of Houston, Texas, has committed to the University of Kentucky. The commitment marks a defining moment for head coach Mark McAllister’s 2025 recruiting class — a class now shaping up to be one of the most formidable in the nation.
Hawthorne, known for his explosive athleticism and razor-sharp instincts on both ends of the floor, made the announcement via a short video posted to his social media accounts. Clad in a midnight blue Wildcats jersey, Hawthorne stared into the camera and simply said, “Big Blue Nation, I’m coming home.”
It was a moment months in the making. Kentucky’s coaching staff had targeted Hawthorne early, recognizing his rare combination of size, agility, and floor vision. Recruiting insiders report that assistant coach Terrence Fields spent nearly 20 days in Texas this spring, cultivating a bond with the Hawthorne family and attending nearly every one of Braydon’s AAU games. It paid off.
“He’s not just a player — he’s a weapon,” Coach McAllister said at a press conference just hours after the commitment went public. “Braydon brings a level of fire and flexibility that we’ve been searching for. He can stretch the floor, protect the rim, and run in transition like a guard. He’s exactly the kind of athlete Kentucky thrives with.”
Indeed, Hawthorne’s game is as electric as it is refined. Averaging 22.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game last season for Cypress Creek High School, he made headlines after notching three triple-doubles during the state playoffs. His hybrid forward playstyle — a fluid blend of modern stretch-four skills and traditional interior grit — makes him a matchup nightmare.
But it wasn’t just the stats that made Hawthorne a coveted prospect. It was the motor. The hunger. Coaches praised his work ethic, noting that Braydon often arrived an hour early to practice and left long after his teammates had gone home. “He’s wired differently,” said his high school coach Marcus Elmore. “Braydon doesn’t just want to be good. He wants to be legendary.”
With Hawthorne’s commitment, Kentucky’s 2025 class now sits at No. 3 nationally, featuring two other top-50 prospects: point guard Tremaine Voss and wing shooter Elijah Brantley. The trio is already being dubbed “The Bluegrass Blazers,” a nickname coined by a local sports columnist and quickly adopted by fans across social media.
Kentucky basketball has long been synonymous with greatness, and Braydon Hawthorne’s decision reinforces that tradition. For a program that prides itself on developing NBA-caliber talent and chasing banners, this commitment signals a return to form — not just to compete, but to dominate.
And for Hawthorne? “I want to win a national championship. I want to leave a legacy,” he said in a post-commitment interview. “And I want to do it in Kentucky blue.”
