BREAKING: 4⭐ SF Braydon Hawthorne Stuns with Kentucky Commitment – Here’s Why He Chose Mark Pope Over Duke and WVU!
In a major recruiting win for the Kentucky Wildcats, 4-star small forward Braydon Hawthorne has officially committed to Coach Mark Pope’s 2025 class. The 6’7″ wing, ranked among the top 35 players in the country, chose Kentucky over a loaded list of finalists including Duke, Virginia Tech, Pitt, and his home-state team, West Virginia.
Hawthorne’s commitment marks the likely final addition to what is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing recruiting classes of the Mark Pope era. A native of West Virginia, Braydon’s decision to leave home and join the Wildcats signals a huge vote of confidence in the new leadership in Lexington. So, what made him say yes to Kentucky?
1. Mark Pope’s Vision for Player Development
Hawthorne cited Coach Pope’s player-first system as a major factor in his decision. Pope, who took over the program in 2024, has quickly built a reputation as a developer of talent, especially wings and stretch forwards. Hawthorne, a versatile scorer and elite defender, said he was impressed by how Pope breaks down each player’s strengths and builds a role that highlights them. “He knows exactly how I fit into his system, and he showed me a plan—not just for college, but for the next level,” Hawthorne said. “That stood out.”
2. Immediate Opportunity to Shine
With several key departures from the 2024-25 Kentucky roster expected, Hawthorne is walking into a situation with real minutes on the table. While many schools pitched him on “earning time,” Kentucky showed him how he could be a Day 1 contributor. “They didn’t just say I’d get a chance—they showed me the blueprint,” Hawthorne added. “I can be a big piece right away.” Pope’s up-tempo, space-and-pace offense is a perfect fit for Hawthorne’s athleticism and high motor.
3. Big-Time Culture and Winning Expectations
Even in a transition phase, Kentucky remains one of college basketball’s most iconic programs. For Hawthorne, playing on the biggest stage mattered. He praised the culture being built by Pope, calling it a “brotherhood that’s locked in on winning.” Unlike programs still finding their identity, Pope has instilled a mix of accountability and swagger. “You don’t just go to Kentucky to be good—you go to win titles. That energy is everywhere,” Hawthorne said.
Hawthorne’s commitment rounds out a 2025 class that includes several top-100 prospects and could be one of the most underrated groups nationally. While Coach Pope is still new to Big Blue Nation, he’s already proving he can win in recruiting battles against traditional blue-bloods like Duke and build a roster with both upside and grit.
With Braydon Hawthorne on board, Kentucky fans have every reason to be excited for the future. The Pope era is officially heating up—and Braydon just added fuel to the fire.
