Braydon Hawthorne, a rising star in Kentucky basketball, marked his arrival on campus in a meaningful and nostalgic way. The four-star forward from Beckley, West Virginia, recreated a cherished childhood photo with the iconic Joe B. Hall statue outside the Wildcat Coal Lodge, his new home.
In a video shared by the Kentucky Men’s Basketball social media accounts, Hawthorne greeted Big Blue Nation with enthusiasm. “What’s going on, BBN? I’m back, sitting next to Coach Joe B. Hall. I just arrived in Lexington, ready to get to work,” he declared, his excitement palpable as he embraced this new chapter of his basketball journey.
Hawthorne’s arrival adds to the growing roster of Wildcats settling in for the upcoming season. He joins transfers Jayden Quaintance, Jaland Lowe, Denzel Aberdeen, Reece Potter, and fellow incoming freshman Malachi Moreno, making him the sixth player to report to campus. The team is expected to be fully assembled by Friday evening, just in time for head coach Mark Pope’s Father/Son Camp on Saturday.
For Hawthorne, the camp holds special significance. As a child, he participated in similar events under former coach John Calipari, where he met players and dreamt of donning the Kentucky jersey. Now, he has the opportunity to inspire a new generation of young fans, creating “surreal” moments that symbolize the realization of his lifelong dream.
“It means everything to me to wear that Kentucky on my chest and represent them,” Hawthorne shared. “I’m ready to win No. 9 and speak it into existence.”
Ranked No. 35 in the 2025 On3 rankings, Hawthorne initially committed to West Virginia before reopening his recruitment following a coaching change. Kentucky, led by assistant coach Jason Hart, quickly seized the opportunity, ultimately securing his commitment over West Virginia, Pitt, Virginia Tech, and Duke.
Standing at 6’8″ and weighing 185 pounds, Hawthorne acknowledges the need to add muscle to compete in the rigorous SEC. “I really need to put on a little bit of weight and get stronger,” he noted, setting his goal weight at 205 pounds to maximize his physical impact on the court.
Hawthorne’s journey to Kentucky underscores his unwavering passion for the program and his desire to contribute to its storied legacy. With his talent, determination, and connection to Big Blue Nation, he is poised to make his mark both on and off the court. Welcome back to Lexington, Braydon Hawthorne—where dreams and history collide.
