Braydon Hawthorne Chooses Duke, Adding Blue-Chip Talent to Blue Devils’ Roster
In a highly anticipated decision that sent ripples through the college basketball recruiting landscape, Braydon Hawthorne, one of the nation’s top prospects, officially announced his commitment to Duke University. The versatile 6-foot-8 wing chose the Blue Devils over a formidable list of contenders including Kentucky, Virginia Tech, Pitt, and his home-state West Virginia Mountaineers.
Hawthorne’s commitment marks a significant win for Jon Scheyer and the Duke coaching staff, who have been aggressively pursuing the talented forward since he reopened his recruitment in March. Previously committed to West Virginia, Hawthorne elected to explore his options after a coaching change in Morgantown, sparking a heated battle for his services.
Ranked as a consensus four-star prospect and climbing rapidly in national rankings (as high as No. 33 overall by 247Sports), Hawthorne brings a unique blend of size, skill, and athleticism to Durham. Scouts laud his ability to create his own shot, drive to the basket, and his burgeoning perimeter game. While still considered a “late-bloomer” with immense untapped potential, his development over the past year has been remarkable, solidifying his status as a high-major talent.
His official visits to all five of his finalists in recent weeks underscored the intense interest in his recruitment. Kentucky, a traditional powerhouse, made a strong push, and the familiarity with West Virginia certainly lingered. However, the allure of Duke’s storied program, its tradition of developing NBA talent, and the vision presented by Coach Scheyer ultimately proved to be the deciding factors for Hawthorne.
For the Blue Devils, Hawthorne’s pledge is a crucial addition, particularly as they look to bolster their wing depth. His arrival provides a significant boost to a recruiting class that aims to maintain Duke’s elite status. As the basketball world looks ahead to the upcoming season, the commitment of Braydon Hawthorne to Duke is a clear statement: the Blue Devils are poised to remain a dominant force in college basketball for years to come.
