While fans wait for Tyran Stokes’ decision, the Kentucky Wildcats have received some great news. Braydon Hawthorne has decided to return to Mark Pope’s team for the next season.
Kentucky has had a difficult transfer portal. Robert Wright III and Donnie Freeman rejected the commitment to Pope’s program. Sebastian Rancik, Paulius Murauskas, and Terrence Brown also avoided the Wildcats. However, there is some good news.
“BREAKING: Kentucky wing Braydon Hawthorne will return next season, per release. The 6’9 redshirt freshman was a four-star recruit in the 2025 class,” Kentucky’s IG account posted.
Other than Hawthorne, Malachi Moreno, Kam Williams, Reece Potter, and Trent Noah are all returning to Kentucky. Target recruits Donnie Freeman and Jasper Johnson are committing to St. John’s and UNC, respectively. Collin Chandler has entered the transfer portal.
As for incoming transfers, Kentucky welcomes Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins. They are also targeting Paul McNeil Jr., Gade Dynes, Jerone Morton, Justin McBride, along with the obvious marquee target, Tyran Stokes.
Fans react to Braydon Hawthorne returning to Mark Pope’s Kentucky
Tyran Stokes has taken over the transfer portal. All eyes are on the 5-star, number 1 player in the country as fans await his commitment announcement. All things point to him being a Wildcat. However, the long wait is making people anxious. Keeping Kentucky, Oregon, and Kansas as his final three options, Stokes has reportedly pretty much dismissed both Kansas and Oregon.
Meanwhile, fans were excited to see Kentucky star Braydon Hawthorne returning for his redshirt freshman season.
“People forgetting Kentucky still got this guy,” one fan said.
“Let’s go Braydon!!! Be great!!!” another fan commented.
“People downplaying a top 40 recruit coming in because he redshirted last season is crazy work,” one fan appreciated.
“Give my man 20 minutes a game and let him make mistakes! He’ll be a problem!” another fan stated.
“Dudes gonna ball,” another claimed.
“I was afraid we would lose him over all the transfer portal drooling. Remember the report out of the NBA day was the scouts were most impressed with him and compared him to Prince,” one fan shared.
