Once again, the Kentucky Wildcats have made waves in the recruiting world. Braydon Hawthorne, a 6-foot-8 small forward boasting a staggering 7-foot-3 wingspan and ranked among the nation’s top 35 prospects, has made a major announcement: he’s officially signed with Kentucky for the upcoming season. After initially pledging to West Virginia, Hawthorne reopened his recruitment following a coaching shakeup and ultimately chose UK over elite contenders Duke, Pittsburgh, and Virginia Tech
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🎉 The Announcement & Reaction
Hawthorne shared his news on social media, calling it the realization of a childhood dream as a lifelong Kentucky fan and expressing how much this moment means to him
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. On Twitter, the announcement set off a frenzy of excitement, with fans and analysts celebrating both the player’s potential and Mark Pope’s recruiting momentum
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📋 Mark Pope Speaks Out
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope gushed about the new recruit:
“Braydon Hawthorne probably has the steepest trajectory of anybody in the class of 2025. He is a great learner, a 4.0 student, and highly skilled. His ceiling is incredible… he’s dying to get better every single day.”
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Pope emphasized Hawthorne’s competitiveness, work ethic, and academic growth—qualities that fit Kentucky’s culture for success.
🧩 What Hawthorne Brings to the Wildcats
Explosive length & versatility: At 6’8″ with elite length, he’s expected to defend multiple positions and stretch the perimeter
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Shapable skill set: A late bloomer with strong guard instincts who still needs to add physical strength—prime for player development
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Roster depth: Hawthorne adds meaningful depth to a loaded 2025 class (now ranked No. 11 nationally), joining other signees like Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno, Andrija Jelavić, and several transfer additions
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🏁 The Road Ahead
While immediate playing time may be limited due to Kentucky’s deep roster, Hawthorne’s high ceiling projects a bright future. Mark Pope sees him as a project with big upside—someone who could grow into a key contributor and even an NBA prospect down the line
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🔍 In Summary
Major announcement: Hawthorne’s official signing with Kentucky marks a major win for Pope’s program.
Coach’s reaction: Pope’s praise underscores Hawthorne’s “trajectory,” character, and developmental potential.
Impactful addition: Brings size, length, and versatility to a star-studded roster.
Future outlook: While freshman minutes may be limited, long-term upside is enormous.
Kentucky continues to show it’s building for sustained success, and Braydon Hawthorne is the latest herald of that ambition.
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