Hawthorne Returns for Kentucky Basketball

0:00On March 9, Kentucky basketball fans can breathe a little easier about the future. Freshman-wing Braden Hawthorne plans to return for the 2026-27 season after redshirting this year. The 6-foot-8 forward has not played a single game in the 2025-26 campaign to save his eligibility. Hawthorne arrived as a four-star recruit, ranked number 35 nationally. Coach Mark Pope saw a big potential early on, likening him to former star Tashon Prince during summer sessions. Team mates have raved about his skills since the offseason. The team flirted with using him amid injuries that thinned the roster. But Hawthorne's own minor setbacks kept that off the table. Still, he focused on growth, bulking up from 173 pounds last summer to 192 pounds now through intense lifting and diet changes. This commitment shows his mindset as Kentucky pushes into the postseason. While the transfer portal can bring twists, his decision offers stability for next year.

1:00Kentucky season rolls on and updates like this keep the momentum building.