Mark Pope wasn't the first to compare Braydon Hawthorne to Tayshaun Prince

On Monday, Mark Pope paid Braydon Hawthorne a very high Kentucky Basketball compliment when he compared the freshman forward to UK legend Tayshaun Prince. That comp may seem specific to Big Blue Nation, but it’s actually not the first time Hawthorne’s heard it.

On Thursday, Hawthorne told reporters that Arkell Bruce, his coach at Huntington Prep, was the first to point out the similarities between him and Prince, a two-time All-American at Kentucky (1999-2002) who went on to play in the NBA for well over a decade. That prompted Hawthorne to look up Prince’s highlights on YouTube, but it wasn’t until Pope brought up the comparison again that he really took notice.

“It was really great to hear that from him. I mean, I’ve heard that a lot, but I’ve never really thought of anything of it. But he’s a great player, so I’m happy with that.”

Even just in appearance, the two resemble each other. Hawthorne is 6’8″ with a 7’3″ wingspan, almost identical to Prince, who was listed at 6’9″ with a 7’2″ wingspan. Like Prince as a freshman, he needs to add some strength to his 175 lbs. frame, but the length and skills are undeniable, as evidenced by his late rise in the recruiting rankings. After coaching Hawthorne in practice this summer and spending time with Prince, now the Vice President of Basketball Affairs for the Memphis Grizzlies, on the recruiting trail, Pope said it dawned on him how much the two are alike.

“Braydon Hawthorne, he is a unique player,” Pope said on Monday. “I can’t wait until you guys get to watch him and see him on the court. I was with Tayshaun Prince for quite a while, maybe a week ago, and he just — build, body, skillset, there is a whole bunch of Tayshaun Prince in this kid. And I know those are big words. Tayshaun Prince is one of the best players to ever play here and had an incredible NBA career, a championship NBA career.”

“I can see some similarities, yes,” Hawthorne said of the Prince comparison. “Just like the length, defensively, shooting the ball, and just do really everything.”

Prince really could do it all. He finished his four-year career at Kentucky with 1,775 points, 757 rebounds, 254 assists, and 142 blocked shots, and still ranks third in UK history with 204 made three-pointers. Prince spent 12 seasons with the Detroit Pistons and still ranks top 10 in franchise history in games played, points, assists, and blocked shots. Hawthorne is just getting started on his Kentucky career, but his versatility already stands out.

“Braydon Hawthorne, he’s been learning, adjusting to the physicality,” fellow freshman Jasper Johnson said on Thursday. “He’s an elite player on both ends of the floor. He uses athleticism and his length to contest shots. I know everything’s coming to him fast, just like the rest of us, but he’s definitely progressing.”

On Monday, Pope raved about Hawthorne’s “ankle mobility,” which Kentucky’s performance team says gives the freshman his impressive ability to cut, move, and get downhill. Hawthorne admitted that’s the first time he’s heard someone praise his ankles, but like the Prince comparison, he’ll take it.

“They said my ankles are just, I guess good,” Hawthorne said, laughing. “I guess I can move really well for my size, that’s what allows me to move, my ankles.”

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