Kentucky Secures Hawthorne Brothers, Guards

0:00On April 21st, the transfer portal slammed shut tonight at 11.59 p.m. eastern time, but Kentucky just locked in a family deal today. Braden Hawthorne, the four star small forward who redshirted his freshman year, announced he's back for another run in Lexington. He's bringing his younger brother, 2026 Combo Guard, Zion Hawthorne, from Huntington Prep, who joins Mason Williams in the High School Class. Kentucky's grabbed two portal guards already, zoomed the allo from Washington and Alex Wilkins from Furman, both with solid scoring and playmaking chops. They're eyeing more depth fast, especially after Donnie Freeman picks St. John's. Jerome Morton from Washington State, a Winchester native, hits campus Friday, and Zion adds long term guard potential. Returners like Malachai Marano, testing NBA draft waters, Cam Williams, Tretenoa, Braden Hawthorne, and Reese Potter give wings in a starting five. Some shape, front courts thin though, Marino at center, but they need a true four.

1:02Outgoing hits hard with seven to the portal, grabs like Otega Oway, and Jaden Quaintons to the draft. Friday brings big visits too. James Madison's Justin McBride and seven foot five USC center gave dines from independence. If no power forwards jump in before midnight, they might chase draft testers like Santa Claire's Alan Graves or Iowa State's Milan Momsilovic, and those won't come cheap. Kentucky staff, now with Mo Williams assisting his son Mason, keeps pushing this roster puzzle. Roster trackers live with five returners, two portals, two signees. Depths the game now as Mark Pope builds for next season.