Four-star forward Braydon Hawthorne committed to Kentucky on Tuesday, giving coach Mark Pope a late addition to his 2025 recruiting class. Hawthorne, the No. 33 overall player in the 2025 class by 247Sports, committed to the Wildcats over Duke, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Pittsburgh.
Hawthorne was the highest-ranked available player in the 2025 recruiting class and the only top-40 recruit left on the board. The Huntington, West Virginia, native previously signed his letter of intent with West Virginia before backing off his pledge earlier this spring after coach Darian DeVries departed Morgantown for Indiana.
Hawthorne is the fourth member of Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class, joining four-star guard Jasper Johnson, four-star center Malachi Moreno and Croatian forward Andrija Jelavić, one of the top European prospects in his age group.
With Hawthorne’s late pledge, the Wildcats now have the 11th-ranked recruiting class in the 2025 cycle.
While Kentucky made key additions via high school recruiting this offseason, Pope primarily rebuilt his roster with transfer portal additions, headlined by former five-star and one-time Kentucky commit Jayden Quaintance. The Wildcats have the No. 4 ranked transfer portal class in the 247Sports rankings behind only St. John’s, Michigan and Louisville.
With Pope securing a late win on the high school recruiting trail, here is an overview of Kentucky’s offseason and what might be next.
Assessing Kentucky’s offseason
As mentioned above, the Wildcats were aggressive in the transfer portal to reshape their roster heading into the second year of Pope’s tenure at his alma mater. Hawthorne is the latest addition to a nice offseason overhaul for the Wildcats. Kentucky signed six players in the transfer portal this offseason: Quaintance (Arizona State), Denzel Aberdeen (Florida), Mouhamed Dioubate (Alabama), Jaland Lowe (Pitt), Kam Williams (Tulane) and Reece Potter from Miami (Ohio).
Quaintance is the player who can swing everything for Kentucky. The projected top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee on March 19 and is expected to be cleared for contact in September. Quaintance was previously committed to Kentucky under the previous coaching staff before signing with Arizona State after John Calipari left to become the coach at Arkansas.
Kentucky has been able to capitalize on its momentum after reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2019 in Pope’s first season on the job. Pope’s rosters moving forward — and starting this season — will be more talented and capable of making deeper runs in the NCAA Tournament.
A big talking point has been Kentucky’s offseason additions, but Pope has managed to retain some of last season’s talent. Big man Brandon Garrison, guard Collin Chandler and forward Trent Noah are all set to return after playing key minutes off the bench during the 2024-25 season.
The most notable player on last year’s roster that hasn’t decided on a next step is star guard Otega Oweh. Kentucky’s leading scorer from last season is still going through the draft process. Kentucky should have a decision sooner rather than later about Oweh’s plans, as the deadline to withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft is May 28.
If Oweh, a projected second-round pick, does return to college for another season, he could be a potential SEC Player of the Year candidate.
This news was originally published on this post .
Previous
About the author
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named MVP: Thunder star put up one of best guard seasons in NBA history
Getty Images Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has won the NBA's 2024-25 MVP award, according to ESPN. Gilgeous-Alexander is now the seventh-straight MVP winner to be born outside of the United States, joining Nikola Jokić (2024, 2022, 2021), Joel Embiid (2023) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (2020, 2019). He is the first Thunder player to win the award since Russell Westbrook did so in 2016, and with Kevin Durant in 2014, three Thunder players have been named MVP. Gilgeous-Alexander is also the first Kentucky Wildcats basketball product to win MVP. The 26-year-old won the award with one of the best guard seasons in NBA history. He led the NBA with 32.7 points per game. The only other guards this century to score that much were James Harden, Kobe Bryant, Luka Dončić and Allen Iverson. He was remarkably efficient in doing so, making 51.9% of his […]
Sonic chega ao universo do Rally para promover novo game
Imagem: Divulgação Foi anunciada pelo Sonic Team nesta quarta-feira (21), uma nova campanha de marca, Racing Around the World, com foco nas características do personagem, velocidade e atitude, como divulgação para o novo game, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, Como parte da campanha, a SEGA se uniu a Red Bull e ao piloto de manobras de alta velocidade Brandon Semenuk, tricampeão nacional da American Rally Association e pentacampeão do Red Bull Rampage, para a produção de um filme, segundo informações de comunicado de imprensa. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE A produção com ênfase na corrida e manobras radicais é um aquecimento para a chegada de Racing Around the World; como parte da colaboração, o trailer apresenta um novo capítulo da premiada série de filmes da Red Bull, recheado de easter eggs do jogo Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. LEIA TAMBÉM: Senna com troféu de Sonic? entenda momento que ficou de fora da série […]
Kommt dieser Star als Plan B? – Wenn Liverpool Wirtz nicht kriegt, dann …
Ob das ein positives Zeichen für die Bayern ist?Das Buhlen um Leverkusen-Topstar Florian Wirtz zwischen dem FC Liverpool und dem FC Bayern spitzt sich weiter zu. Für den Rekordmeister gibt es derzeit keine Alternative für den DFB-Star. Anders sieht es aber offenbar bei „Reds“ aus: Dort fällt jetzt schon ein anderer Name, der statt Wirtz an die Anfield Road wechseln könnte.Laut Transfer-Insider David Ornstein ist sich Liverpool unsicher, ob der 22-Jährige überhaupt diesen Sommer wechseln wird. Das sagte Ornstein in einem Interview mit „NBC“: „Liverpool hat ein Interesse an Florian Wirtz. Aber es gibt keine Garantie, dass das passieren wird; mal sehen, ob er Bayer Leverkusen überhaupt verlassen wird.“ Lesen Sie auch<!-->[-->Deshalb beschäftige sich der Premier-League-Klub mit Alternativen. Dabei könnten die „Reds“ bei Crystal Palace fündig werden. Eberechi Eze steht dem Transfer-Insider zufolge nach Wirtz ganz oben auf der Liste.Der […]
Rivaldo coloca condição para Neymar volta a seleção brasileira
Neymar, jogador do Santos (Raul Baretta / Santos) Na próxima segunda-feira (26), será divulgada a primeira convocação oficial de Carlo Ancelotti no comando da seleção brasileira e existe uma expectativa sobre a presença de Neymar. O camisa 10 do Santos é um dos nomes que está na pré-lista do técnico italiano, mesmo com o jogador estar há mais de 30 dias sem entrar em campo. Pentacampeão mundial, o ex-jogador Rivaldo é favor da presença do craque, mas desde que ele esteja jogando bem pelo Santos. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “Torço para que ele volte logo e bem para o Santos. Porque ele jogando bem, é um nome forte na seleção brasileira”, afirmou em entrevista exclusiva à Betfair. “Situação delicada” Além de desfalcar o Santos, que vive situação complicada no Brasileirão, Neymar teve seu comportamento fora de campo criticado mais uma vez. Isso […]
SGA vs. Ant takeaways, OKC’s amazing defense & KOC’s Tre Johnson interview | The Kevin O’Connor Show
Subscribe to The Kevin O'Connor ShowKevin O’Connor reacts to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s dominant win against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Is SGA’s grifting really as big of a deal as it’s made out to be? Or is a poor shooting effort from the Wolves more to blame for the lopsided box score? Plus, later in the episode, Kevin is joined by NBA Draft prospect Tre Johnson to break down his current game and how he expects to fit in the NBA.Jalen Williams #8 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder high five during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Game 1 of the 2025 Western Conference Finals on May 20, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via […]
Er kam mit 16 für 1,2 Mio – Bayern-Juwel: Wechsel für den nächsten Schritt
Der Weg soll (noch) weiter nach oben führen. Bayern-Talent Jonathan Asp Jensen (19) könnte im Sommer ausgeliehen werden. Denn: Der Däne will nach BILD-Informationen den nächsten Schritt in seiner Karriere machen.Der dänische Junioren-Nationalspieler, der in der vergangenen Saison in der Regionalliga für die zweite Mannschaft der Bayern auflief (elf Vorlagen und fünf Tore in 23 Spielen), soll zur neuen Saison Spielpraxis sammeln. Interessenten gibt es schon: Grasshopper Zürich zeigt Interesse, aber nur, wenn sie in der Schweizer Super League bleiben. Auch andere Erstligisten aus der Schweiz und Österreich sowie deutsche Zweitligisten sind mögliche Ziele für das Bayern-Juwel. Nach Politik-Karrierestart: Mucki-Mesut wird immer breiter<!-->[-->Quelle: BILD21.05.2025Ziel des geplanten Wechsels auf Zeit ist es, dass Asp Jensen weitere Erfahrungen im Erwachsenen-Fußball auf höherem Niveau sammelt.Ganz egal, wo es am Ende hingeht – in München werden sie das Nachwuchs-Juwel (Vertrag bis 2028) ganz genau […]
Related
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named MVP: Thunder star put up one of best guard seasons in NBA history
Getty Images Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has won the NBA's 2024-25 MVP award, according to ESPN. Gilgeous-Alexander is now the seventh-straight MVP winner to be born outside of the United States, joining Nikola Jokić (2024, 2022, 2021), Joel Embiid (2023) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (2020, 2019). He is the first Thunder player to win the award since Russell Westbrook did so in 2016, and with Kevin Durant in 2014, three Thunder players have been named MVP. Gilgeous-Alexander is also the first Kentucky Wildcats basketball product to win MVP. The 26-year-old won the award with one of the best guard seasons in NBA history. He led the NBA with 32.7 points per game. The only other guards this century to score that much were James Harden, Kobe Bryant, Luka Dončić and Allen Iverson. He was remarkably efficient in doing so, making 51.9% of his […]
Sonic chega ao universo do Rally para promover novo game
Imagem: Divulgação Foi anunciada pelo Sonic Team nesta quarta-feira (21), uma nova campanha de marca, Racing Around the World, com foco nas características do personagem, velocidade e atitude, como divulgação para o novo game, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, Como parte da campanha, a SEGA se uniu a Red Bull e ao piloto de manobras de alta velocidade Brandon Semenuk, tricampeão nacional da American Rally Association e pentacampeão do Red Bull Rampage, para a produção de um filme, segundo informações de comunicado de imprensa. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE A produção com ênfase na corrida e manobras radicais é um aquecimento para a chegada de Racing Around the World; como parte da colaboração, o trailer apresenta um novo capítulo da premiada série de filmes da Red Bull, recheado de easter eggs do jogo Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds. LEIA TAMBÉM: Senna com troféu de Sonic? entenda momento que ficou de fora da série […]
Kommt dieser Star als Plan B? – Wenn Liverpool Wirtz nicht kriegt, dann …
Ob das ein positives Zeichen für die Bayern ist?Das Buhlen um Leverkusen-Topstar Florian Wirtz zwischen dem FC Liverpool und dem FC Bayern spitzt sich weiter zu. Für den Rekordmeister gibt es derzeit keine Alternative für den DFB-Star. Anders sieht es aber offenbar bei „Reds“ aus: Dort fällt jetzt schon ein anderer Name, der statt Wirtz an die Anfield Road wechseln könnte.Laut Transfer-Insider David Ornstein ist sich Liverpool unsicher, ob der 22-Jährige überhaupt diesen Sommer wechseln wird. Das sagte Ornstein in einem Interview mit „NBC“: „Liverpool hat ein Interesse an Florian Wirtz. Aber es gibt keine Garantie, dass das passieren wird; mal sehen, ob er Bayer Leverkusen überhaupt verlassen wird.“ Lesen Sie auch<!-->[-->Deshalb beschäftige sich der Premier-League-Klub mit Alternativen. Dabei könnten die „Reds“ bei Crystal Palace fündig werden. Eberechi Eze steht dem Transfer-Insider zufolge nach Wirtz ganz oben auf der Liste.Der […]
Rivaldo coloca condição para Neymar volta a seleção brasileira
Neymar, jogador do Santos (Raul Baretta / Santos) Na próxima segunda-feira (26), será divulgada a primeira convocação oficial de Carlo Ancelotti no comando da seleção brasileira e existe uma expectativa sobre a presença de Neymar. O camisa 10 do Santos é um dos nomes que está na pré-lista do técnico italiano, mesmo com o jogador estar há mais de 30 dias sem entrar em campo. Pentacampeão mundial, o ex-jogador Rivaldo é favor da presença do craque, mas desde que ele esteja jogando bem pelo Santos. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “Torço para que ele volte logo e bem para o Santos. Porque ele jogando bem, é um nome forte na seleção brasileira”, afirmou em entrevista exclusiva à Betfair. “Situação delicada” Além de desfalcar o Santos, que vive situação complicada no Brasileirão, Neymar teve seu comportamento fora de campo criticado mais uma vez. Isso […]
SGA vs. Ant takeaways, OKC’s amazing defense & KOC’s Tre Johnson interview | The Kevin O’Connor Show
Subscribe to The Kevin O'Connor ShowKevin O’Connor reacts to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s dominant win against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Is SGA’s grifting really as big of a deal as it’s made out to be? Or is a poor shooting effort from the Wolves more to blame for the lopsided box score? Plus, later in the episode, Kevin is joined by NBA Draft prospect Tre Johnson to break down his current game and how he expects to fit in the NBA.Jalen Williams #8 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder high five during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves during Game 1 of the 2025 Western Conference Finals on May 20, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via […]
Er kam mit 16 für 1,2 Mio – Bayern-Juwel: Wechsel für den nächsten Schritt
Der Weg soll (noch) weiter nach oben führen. Bayern-Talent Jonathan Asp Jensen (19) könnte im Sommer ausgeliehen werden. Denn: Der Däne will nach BILD-Informationen den nächsten Schritt in seiner Karriere machen.Der dänische Junioren-Nationalspieler, der in der vergangenen Saison in der Regionalliga für die zweite Mannschaft der Bayern auflief (elf Vorlagen und fünf Tore in 23 Spielen), soll zur neuen Saison Spielpraxis sammeln. Interessenten gibt es schon: Grasshopper Zürich zeigt Interesse, aber nur, wenn sie in der Schweizer Super League bleiben. Auch andere Erstligisten aus der Schweiz und Österreich sowie deutsche Zweitligisten sind mögliche Ziele für das Bayern-Juwel. Nach Politik-Karrierestart: Mucki-Mesut wird immer breiter<!-->[-->Quelle: BILD21.05.2025Ziel des geplanten Wechsels auf Zeit ist es, dass Asp Jensen weitere Erfahrungen im Erwachsenen-Fußball auf höherem Niveau sammelt.Ganz egal, wo es am Ende hingeht – in München werden sie das Nachwuchs-Juwel (Vertrag bis 2028) ganz genau […]
Be the first to leave a comment