Braydon Hawthorne official visit

[Son_Of_Saul]

Imagine a scenario where UK returns:

Jelavic So. 6'11" F/C let's assume he goes pro
Moreno So. 6'11" C
Garrison Sr. 6'10" C
Hawthorne So. 6'9" F
Williams Jr. 6'8" G/F
Dioubate Sr. 6'7" F
Noah Jr. 6'6" F
Chandler Jr. 6'6" G/F
Johnson So. 6'4" G
Lowe Sr. 6'3" G
Perry Jr. 6'2" G

Pope could bring all those dudes back and only have to add one or two from the portal or incoming freshman class (Anthony Thompson and Tay Kinney would be the guys I'd love to see UK sign).

C - Garrison - Moreno
F - Mo D - Hawthorne - Noah
F - Williams - Thompson - Noah
G - Johnson - Chandler - Williams
G - Lowe - Kinney - Perry

That's a helluva roster.

 

[chasingwildcat]

Imagine a scenario where UK returns:

Jelavic So. 6'11" F/C let's assume he goes pro
Moreno So. 6'11" C
Garrison Sr. 6'10" C
Hawthorne So. 6'9" F
Williams Jr. 6'8" G/F
Dioubate Sr. 6'7" F
Noah Jr. 6'6" F
Chandler Jr. 6'6" G/F
Johnson So. 6'4" G
Lowe Sr. 6'3" G
Perry Jr. 6'2" G

Pope could bring all those dudes back and only have to add one or two from the portal or incoming freshman class (Anthony Thompson and Tay Kinney would be the guys I'd love to see UK sign).

C - Garrison - Moreno
F - Mo D - Hawthorne - Noah
F - Williams - Thompson - Noah
G - Johnson - Chandler - Williams
G - Lowe - Kinney - Perry

That's a helluva roster.

Thompson is not just a prospect

He looks more like top 10-top5 ranked player in his class, that is solid starter if he comes here

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Thompson is not just a prospect

He looks more like top 10-top5 ranked player in his class, that is solid starter if he comes here

We said the same thing about Jasper Johnson when he committed. Now it's clear that he'll be competing with Chandler and Williams and whoever else Pope brings in.

This isn't Calipari's Kentucky anymore. If Thompson comes here, he'll be competing against veteran players and grown men for minutes.

 

[Cats192]

The more length you have for the position you are playing, the less important strength is, especially in a 5 out offense. At least that holds true until you play someone who also has length and strength. I think Hawthorne could be a contributor this year behind Williams and a significant piece in year 2.

I think we have to make a distinction between weight and strength.

I'm not worried about "strength." And I don't think weight=strength. But even if you're lacking strength, your weight can help. If you're too light--your defender can push you around and get to where they want. All the length in the world isn't going to make up for being TOO light.

Kam is 190.
Dioubate is 215.
Oweh is 215.

I think he's a 4 or maybe a 3. We're 2 deep at those spots. He's not going to see a ton of minutes if he comes this year, IMO.

 

[chasingwildcat]

We said the same thing about Jasper Johnson when he committed. Now it's clear that he'll be competing with Chandler and Williams and whoever else Pope brings in.

This isn't Calipari's Kentucky anymore. If Thompson comes here, he'll be competing against veteran players and grown men for minutes.

Thompson is on another level than jasper

Jasper is not top 10 player when HS career ends

Thompson will be 100% top 10 ranked when his high school career ends

He is late bloomer in his class, and will improve in ranking as time goes on...

He will be good enough for starter, I agree nothing is guaranteed for him, but expect he will be good enough to earn starter spot in year 1

 

[NerlensCat]

I think we have to make a distinction between weight and strength.

I'm not worried about "strength." And I don't think weight=strength. But even if you're lacking strength, your weight can help. If you're too light--your defender can push you around and get to where they want. All the length in the world isn't going to make up for being TOO light.

Kam is 190.
Dioubate is 215.
Oweh is 215.

I think he's a 4 or maybe a 3. We're 2 deep at those spots. He's not going to see a ton of minutes if he comes this year, IMO.

I said he could be a contributor this year and significant next year. Oweh will definitely be gone and Dioubate could be gone in ‘26-‘27. Thompson is not a guarantee. So, if he wants to come, I would take Hawthorne. He will be significantly better in year 2 than year 1. It is hard to find kids with his size and skill level, especially if they are willing to compete against better competition and not be a starter.

 

[chasingwildcat]

I said he could be a contributor this year and significant next year. Oweh will definitely be gone and Dioubate could be gone in ‘26-‘27. Thompson is not a guarantee. So, if he wants to come, I would take Hawthorne. He will be significantly better in year 2 than year 1. It is hard to find kids with his size and skill level, especially if they are willing to compete against better competition and not be a starter.

Gut feeling Hawthorne will go to a less school to play more minutes

Not sure how his recruitment will go

Haven't heard the news about his opinion on his uk visit yet (whether the visit went on well or bad)

 

[NerlensCat]

Gut feeling Hawthorne will go to a less school to play more minutes

Not sure how his recruitment will go

Haven't heard the news about his opinion on his uk visit yet (whether the visit went on well or bad)

We got the dreaded, “It has always been his dream school” quote from his Father. So, I am guessing he will choose someone else.

 

[mash_24]

If you’re a HS senior outside of a sure fire one and done it’s kind of foolish to commit to an annually contending program right out of HS. Go to a mid major or struggling power conference school, put up good numbers, then capitalize on NIL opportunities as a Sophomore.

 

[Ryan Lemonds Hair]

Sounds like if we add anyone else it could be Hawthorne. Has there been any news after his visit that I missed?

 

[rivercatinfl]

Always liked the 6-8 kids that needed time to get stronger and grow as a player. It is even MORE crucial now that Coach Pope is here. Didn’t get to see that much under Cal, but Coach Pitino was AWESOME at it.

I realize the transfer portal has changed player development tremendously, but looking at this kid’s tape, he just needs time and he has all of the potential to be a good player.

Reminds me of a kid named Prince! I'd take him in a second.

 

[wildcatdon]

We now have 12 without Perry. Don’t really need anyone else. I want to see what Pope can do with this class.

 

[chasingwildcat]

Looks like we will still wait a lot for commitment news of this guy

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Looks like we will still wait a lot for commitment news of this guy

Thanks for the update.

Honestly, I'd rather have Anthony Thompson the following season. They play the same position and I absolutely love Thompson's versatility.

Plus, unless Oweh leaves, there's no way in hell the UK staff keeps a kid like Hawthorne content in year one. There's zero room for him.

I like that they're trying, but if they miss on this kid, just nab Thompson the following year and let him, Williams, and Noah be your small forwards the next season.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

This kid and his family are geniuses.

 

[chasingwildcat]

Thanks for the update.

Honestly, I'd rather have Anthony Thompson the following season. They play the same position and I absolutely love Thompson's versatility.

Plus, unless Oweh leaves, there's no way in hell the UK staff keeps a kid like Hawthorne content in year one. There's zero room for him.

I like that they're trying, but if they miss on this kid, just nab Thompson the following year and let him, Williams, and Noah be your small forwards the next season.

Kam and Thompson SF duo should be best in country if it happens

If Thompson can add his weight to 200 pounds before his freshman year start, he should be strong enough to be solid player and even star in day 1

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Kam and Thompson SF duo should be best in country if it happens

If Thompson can add his weight to 200 pounds before his freshman year start, he should be strong enough to be solid player and even star in day 1

Already some perception that Williams may be hard to keep off the floor this season because of his overall well rounded game.

 

[chasingwildcat]

Already some perception that Williams may be hard to keep off the floor this season because of his overall well rounded game.

Will not be surprised if Kam makes stride between his freshman and sophomore year

If he makes stride like Oweh did in year 2 and year 3, he could be gone as nba player after this season

 

[LadyCaytIL]

What makes people think we will get Anthony Thompson? any actual connections because Crowe is the only top 10 player I think we can actually get without Pope going completely against his principles by promising starts minutes and shots. So until someone tells me something concrete , I'm just gonna expect us to Kam Williams and a SF from the portal the season after next.

 

[chasingwildcat]

What makes people think we will get Anthony Thompson? any actual connections because Crowe is the only top 10 player I think we can actually get without Pope going completely against his principles by promising starts minutes and shots. So until someone tells me something concrete , I'm just gonna expect us to Kam Williams and a SF from the portal the season after next.

Thomson unofficially visited us twice during last season

Also he only follows Kentucky basketball in his Instagram account

Also, top 10 recruit should be assumed to be starter for both sides in recruiting process....

Crowe is less likely than Thompson, because Crowe is a west coast guy

 

[kywildcat1021979]

Thomson unofficially visited us twice during last season

Also he only follows Kentucky basketball in his Instagram account

Also, top 10 recruit should be assumed to be starter for both sides in recruiting process....

Crowe is less likely than Thompson, because Crowe is a west coast guy

Didn't someone say on here that Hart our assistant coach is a real close family friend of the Crowe's ?

 

[chasingwildcat]

Didn't someone say on here that Hart our assistant coach is a real close family friend of the Crowe's ?

yes.
Crowe has relationship with Hart

If crowe decides to go to non-west-coast school, it will be us

 

[bucsrule8872]

Thanks for the update.

Honestly, I'd rather have Anthony Thompson the following season. They play the same position and I absolutely love Thompson's versatility.

Plus, unless Oweh leaves, there's no way in hell the UK staff keeps a kid like Hawthorne content in year one. There's zero room for him.

I like that they're trying, but if they miss on this kid, just nab Thompson the following year and let him, Williams, and Noah be your small forwards the next season.

I’d rather have Stokes at SF.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

What makes people think we will get Anthony Thompson? any actual connections because Crowe is the only top 10 player I think we can actually get without Pope going completely against his principles by promising starts minutes and shots. So until someone tells me something concrete , I'm just gonna expect us to Kam Williams and a SF from the portal the season after next.

1. He likes Kentucky.
2. He has visited UK twice.
3. Pope is visiting him this spring.
4. Thompson lives about two hours from Lexington.
5. If our NIL stays the same, we will have cap space of about $8 million (assuming that Aberdeen, Oweh, Jelavic, and JQ all graduate or go pro early after this season). UK could offer Thompson in the $2 million dollar range. I don't see any other program being able or willing to do that for a fringe top 10-15 kid.

 

[bucsrule8872]

yes.
Crowe has relationship with Hart

If crowe decides to go to non-west-coast school, it will be us

Crowe’s dad and Hart are HS buddies. Played together at Inglewood HS.

 

[kywildcat1021979]

Crowe’s dad and Hart are HS buddies. Played together at Inglewood HS.

That could go pretty far in getting Crowe here to UK.

 

[NerlensCat]

That could go pretty far in getting Crowe here to UK.

I think they will be in the final group. We just have to make sure Hart doesn’t leave.

 

[trueblujr]

At this point the sheer numbers are scaring off dudes, it seems to me.

That's what's been amazing about what Pope is actually doing. He's selling the kids on having a deep rotation and getting guys who want to win Championships even if it means sacrificing some minutes. He's selling the analytics approach and selling guys on getting their best 20 -25 minutes with rests vs. 15 minutes of solid play and 15 of gassed sub-par play because they were left in too long.

Most rosters won't be nearly as deep as ours because they aren't really selling those analyitics. When the 7-10 guys on the bench realize they're only gonna get 8 -10 minute a game, they're gonna bolt. The better players in the portal are bolting for more $$$. The number 7-10 players coming to UK know they could get upwards of 20 minutes a game depending on the situation. They know Pope will go 10 deep and even deeper sometimes. Most coaches won't do that.

 

[chasingwildcat]

This is the first HS recruit Pope visits

So it is likely he is no.1 overall target for Pope

 

[UKBB4Ever]

1. He likes Kentucky.
2. He has visited UK twice.
3. Pope is visiting him this spring.
4. Thompson lives about two hours from Lexington.
5. If our NIL stays the same, we will have cap space of about $8 million (assuming that Aberdeen, Oweh, Jelavic, and JQ all graduate or go pro early after this season). UK could offer Thompson in the $2 million dollar range. I don't see any other program being able or willing to do that for a fringe top 10-15 kid.

There is no cap.

 

[Maddmatt87]

That's what's been amazing about what Pope is actually doing. He's selling the kids on having a deep rotation and getting guys who want to win Championships even if it means sacrificing some minutes. He's selling the analytics approach and selling guys on getting their best 20 -25 minutes with rests vs. 15 minutes of solid play and 15 of gassed sub-par play because they were left in too long.

Most rosters won't be nearly as deep as ours because they aren't really selling those analyitics. When the 7-10 guys on the bench realize they're only gonna get 8 -10 minute a game, they're gonna bolt. The better players in the portal are bolting for more $$$. The number 7-10 players coming to UK know they could get upwards of 20 minutes a game depending on the situation. They know Pope will go 10 deep and even deeper sometimes. Most coaches won't do that.

I think Lowe is a good example of this when you look at his last two years. Year 1, he had help and rest, his states look alot better than year 2 when he had to stay in too long and do too much.

 

[Runt#1969]

Already some perception that Williams may be hard to keep off the floor this season because of his overall well rounded game.

yes

 

[true-blue1]

I think they will be in the final group. We just have to make sure Hart doesn’t leave.

It will be interesting to see who the staff prefers between Kinney or Crowe.

 

[Wunky]

Crowe’s dad and Hart are HS buddies. Played together at Inglewood HS.

Inglewood always up to no good!!

 

[NerlensCat]

It will be interesting to see who the staff prefers between Kinney or Crowe.

They would be crazy not to prefer Crowe. But the chances of getting him are way lower than Kinney. So, they have to give Kinney the Red Carpet treatment.

 

[chasingwildcat]

They would be crazy not to prefer Crowe. But the chances of getting him are way lower than Kinney. So, they have to give Kinney the Red Carpet treatment.

Another important factor is that Kinney is KY kid

Remember pope preferred Jasper over Mullins mainly because Jasper is KY kid

I bet actually coach team likes Mullins more

Do not think we can get two HS guards in 26 recruiting.

 

[NerlensCat]

Another important factor is that Kinney is KY kid

Remember pope preferred Jasper over Mullins mainly because Jasper is KY kid

I bet actually coach team likes Mullins more

Do not think we can get two HS guards in 26 recruiting.

I think coach prioritized Jasper and Malachi. I doubt, if he were telling the truth, those were his preferences. Subtle, but significant.

Kinney is a really good player. But Crowe looks like a superstar. He made Arenas lookin weak last year.

 

[bucsrule8872]

With Kinney being from Kentucky and being former teammates with Johnson, he is probably more likely to sign with UK.

Pope probably offers both and takes the first one to commit. I think that would be Kinney.

 

[chasingwildcat]

With Kinney being from Kentucky and being former teammates with Johnson, he is probably more likely to sign with UK.

Pope probably offers both and takes the first one to commit. I think that would be Kinney.

Even Kinney is not guaranteed, because our guard position will still be crowded in 26-27 assuming Chandler, Lowe (and/or Jasper) stay

And Kinney is most gettable guard in 26 class for us

We probably only have an obvious hole in SF position for 26 HS recruits

Unless Stokes come to us and play "small ball pf", I would rather keep Garrison/J/Mo/Moreno over any other HS pf/c recruits in 26

 

[true-blue1]

Even Kinney is not guaranteed, because our guard position will still be crowded in 26-27 assuming Chandler, Lowe (and/or Jasper) stay

And Kinney is most gettable guard in 26 class for us

We probably only have an obvious hole in SF position for 26 HS recruits

Unless Stokes come to us and play "small ball pf", I would rather keep Garrison/J/Mo/Moreno over any other HS pf/c recruits in 26

I think we will only get two players out of the 26 class.