Will they/Have they seen the floor? Seemed like some walkons got in the game last night. I didn't see these two, nor do I remember seeing them in the exhibition games.
Braydon Hawthorne and Reece Potter
- Thread starter ftp000
- Start date
I think they are both going to redshirt this season.
Be a smart move get some nil money and an education
The plan is to Redshirt both of them.
Has to be a redshirt thing even though those are rare nowadays. No chance Hawthorne isn’t at least as good as Kam.
Because in a day and age where each season of eligibility could be worth up to seven figures, some guys may prefer to retain it if they aren’t making the rotation. As fans we see a guy like BH and think he will be in the NBA within two or three years but that league has no guaranteed spots for anyone. If BH and RP are willing to redshirt, I say go for itWhy would you redshirt a kid this day in time?
Tsssh pay me that kinda money to watch UK play games from the bench and see what happens. 
I agree but there’s no guarantee a kid stays at the school. NIL controls everything
Kid says he ain’t leaving Kentucky until he’s a pro. Nothing is guaranteed, but Pope may be taking him at his word.
I also think it has been made clear to those two upfront they’re coming here to develop and redshirt. No guarantee that they’ll stay, but it has to be at least somewhat more likely with them knowing the plan upfront
Those 2 are a great start to our 2026 recruiting class.
Kam is going to be really good ,hes coming in from being a catch and shoot shooter to a guy whos gotta learn to move without tge ball ,shoot off the dribble and go to the basket! He's going to be fine in time he just needs to learn the system abd get comfortable.
If the kid wants to learn and grow at their hometown team? Both of them are basically locals. So situation created itself, and Reece also hast vast potential in Popes system but needs strength and conditioning.Why would you redshirt a kid this day in time?
plus,imo, it lowers chances for hawks to see tape on a kid and sell him in a transfer. Win for Coach.
Same reasons as before + an extra year for NIL.Why would you redshirt a kid this day in time?
I think it's good for Kentucky. These guys are going to have a hard time getting on the floor this year as it is. Give them an extra year of eligibility. They're more likely to help us in the future.
Well sure.
But that's true even if you play them.
I think it's different if they're in line for 10-15 minutes a game. As it stands, they'll only ever play in mop up minutes with the walk-ons.
So I like the idea of treating them like they'll be 3 or 4 year players. No sense in wasting a year of eligibility by giving them a few minutes here and there in blow outs if they can be players in the future.
If Noah and Williams continue to struggle at the 3 we might should give Hawthorne a chance.
He really needs to gain some strength. I see him more of a four that's not big enough yet. I know he has some skills and could possibly play the three but he looked kind of lost to me in the scrimmages we saw so I really can't see him as possibly being better than either Noah or Williams this year. The only things I know for certain about Noah and Williams is that both guys have natural shooting ability; them not hitting so far after two exhibition games and one official game doesn't worry me a bit. Both will have hot and cold streaks this year but both can shoot. Honestly, I have more questions about shooting concerning Johnson. He looks like a shooter when they go in but he is starting to remind me of Justin Edwards. I'm sorry if I ruined anybody's day by mentioning him.
Like you, I thought maybe there was some number of games they could play but the fact they both didn't play in the exhibition games suggests the number is zero.
I'd be on the Bluto Blutarsky college plan.Tsssh pay me that kinda money to watch UK play games from the bench and see what happens.
That's the plan. If afforded the opportunity and UK isn't forced to burn the eligibility they'll both RS.
If he's not going to play (as the 12th guy, going to only play not much more than walk-on minutes), why waste a year of eligibility, even if he doesn't stay at one school all 4 years. It's the right thing to do for him. Now we think, and he hopes, he will develop enough to go pro before that 5th year, but you never know.Why would you redshirt a kid this day in time?