Kentucky target Braydon Hawthorne will announce college decision this week

(Braydon Hawthorne photo via UK Athletics)

Now down to just five schools, Braydon Hawthorne has made up his mind.

According to Travis Branham of 247Sports, Hawthorne will announce his college decision on Tuesday, May 20, at 7:00 p.m. ET. The 6-foot-8 wing has visited all five of his finalists — Kentucky, Duke, Pitt, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech — over the last couple of months. Hawthorne was in Lexington for his official visit in mid-April. His most recent visit was to Duke earlier this month.

Hawthorne, who is credited with a 7-foot-2 wingspan, has seen a significant rankings bump over the last few months. On3 now ranks him as the 35th-best prospect from the 2025 recruiting class.

NEWS: Braydon Hawthorne, the No. 33 overall recruit in the 2025 class, will announce his college decision on Tuesday, May 20 at 7:00 PM ET live on @247Sports.

Has visited Duke, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. https://t.co/gEUt8Etzuw pic.twitter.com/bgV5YYdQ22
— Travis Branham (@TravisBranham_) May 18, 2025

Hawthorne’s stock took off thanks to an impressive senior season at Huntington Prep (WV). He was previously committed to West Virginia from October 2024 until the Mountaineers’ coaching change in March 2025.

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“Braydon Hawthorne is a unique player. A definite late-bloomer, someone who is already producing on the national stage, but his best basketball is still clearly in front of him,” On3 national analyst Jamie Shaw said of Hawthorne’s game. “Currently in the 6-foot-8, 6-foot-9 range, Hawthorne has true wing skills. He can put the ball on the floor in the half-court to self-create an opportunity. Athletically, he still needs to add strength. While he is fluid in his movements, he has average pop. However, what he does have is length and instincts, which he uses to an advantage.”

Kentucky is currently up 13 roster pieces for the 2025-26 season, including Otega Oweh, who continues to go through the NBA Draft process. It’s unlikely there would be a major role for Hawthorne as a freshman if he were to choose the Wildcats, but he would be a terrific developmental piece for Mark Pope and company if it were to happen.

We’ll find out where he’s going to start his college career in a couple of days.