In an era where the transfer portal has made roster turnover common across college basketball, Kentucky fans know better than to assume any player will automatically return for another season. But freshman wing Braydon Hawthorne made his intentions clear — he plans to be back in Lexington next year.
When asked whether he expected to return for the 2026–27 season, Hawthorne didn’t hesitate.
“Yeah,” he said confidently. “For sure.”
Hawthorne has spent the entire season as a redshirt, meaning fans haven’t seen him in game action yet. Still, the 6-foot-8 wing says the past several months have been extremely valuable for his development, and he believes the experience will give him a major advantage heading into next season.
A Development Year Behind the Scenes
Hawthorne entered Kentucky as a late-rising prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, eventually finishing as the No. 33 overall player in the 247Sports rankings. His potential quickly became a topic of conversation around the program as coaches and teammates saw flashes of his ability during practices.
However, with a deep roster at the start of the season and several aspects of his game still developing, the coaching staff and Hawthorne decided that taking a redshirt year would be the best path.
For a player with NBA potential, sitting out a full season is rare in today’s college basketball environment. But Hawthorne embraced the opportunity to focus on improvement.
“I wouldn’t say it’s been difficult,” he explained. “There are moments when you think about the fact that you were a top-50 recruit and haven’t played in a year. But you just have to stay mentally strong and keep working.”
Getting Stronger for SEC Basketball
One of Hawthorne’s biggest priorities this season has been improving his physical strength.
When he first arrived on campus last summer, he weighed about 173 pounds — very light for a player standing 6-foot-8. Kentucky head coach Mark Pope compared his body type to former Wildcats star Tayshaun Prince, another tall and slender wing who succeeded at the highest level.
Since then, Hawthorne has made noticeable progress.
Through a strict workout routine and guidance from Kentucky’s nutrition staff, he has added nearly 20 pounds and now weighs around 192.
“I feel like physicality has been really big for me,” Hawthorne said. “I can initiate contact better now, and I can take contact better too.”
His routine includes daily weight training along with a carefully structured diet. One of his regular meals includes steak, broccoli, potatoes, and rice — part of a plan designed to help him build the strength needed for SEC competition.
Competing in Practice
Even though he hasn’t played in games, Hawthorne has been heavily involved in Kentucky’s practices. Coaches frequently match him up against some of the team’s best players to help him develop against elite competition.
When asked which teammate has been the toughest for him to score against, Hawthorne initially smiled and said, “Nobody.”
After a moment, he admitted that veteran guard Otega Oweh has challenged him the most.
Oweh has also taken time to work with Hawthorne individually, helping him improve his shot creation and learn how to handle pressure from high-level defenders.
“I tell him every day he still can’t stop me,” Hawthorne said with a grin.
Learning Through Scout Team Duties
Another part of Hawthorne’s development has come through his role on the scout team. Coaches often ask him to mimic opposing players during practice to help Kentucky prepare for upcoming games.
For example, he played the role of projected NBA lottery pick Caleb Wilson while Kentucky prepared to face North Carolina earlier this season.
He has also imitated several perimeter players from other SEC teams, forcing him to adapt to different styles and responsibilities.
“I feel like it’s helped a lot,” Hawthorne said. “Seeing different defensive looks and learning how teams try to stop you.”
Adjusting to the College Level
Like many freshmen, Hawthorne needed time to adjust to the speed and intensity of college basketball.
“In high school you could get away with things that you can’t get away with here,” he said. “Every possession matters now.”
At one point during the season, injuries within the Kentucky roster sparked discussions about potentially burning Hawthorne’s redshirt so he could play.
Ultimately, he chose to stay with the original development plan.
“I just felt like it was too late in the season,” Hawthorne said. “It was better to stick with the plan.”
Preparing for a Bigger Role
After nearly a full year learning Mark Pope’s system, Hawthorne believes he will be well prepared when the next season begins.
Because he already understands the offense and defensive schemes, he expects to step into a much larger role right away.
“I feel like I’ll be a step ahead next year,” he said. “Knowing the system already puts me in a great position.”
A Versatile Future Piece
Hawthorne believes his size and skill set will allow him to play multiple positions in Kentucky’s lineup.
While he expects to spend most of his time at small forward, he thinks he can contribute anywhere from shooting guard to power forward depending on the situation.
“I feel like I can play from the 2 through the 4,” he said. “My size, shooting, and ability to handle the ball help with that.”
Teammates have already noticed his improvement during practices.
Senior guard Denzel Aberdeen said Hawthorne has continued to impress behind the scenes.
“He’s still killing us in practice,” Aberdeen said. “He’s getting stronger and his shot is getting better. You’re going to see a lot of him next year.”
Looking Toward Next Season
Although Hawthorne hasn’t appeared in a game yet, he has spent the season learning Kentucky’s system, traveling with the team, and building chemistry with his teammates.
Most importantly, he believes he has become a much better player.
“I can tell for sure I’ve improved,” he said. “The game feels a lot easier now.”
For Kentucky fans wondering about his future, Hawthorne has made one thing clear — he plans to return next season and finally show what he can do on the court.
