MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — Tonight is one of the most important nights in the recent history of West Virginia men’s basketball as the state’s #1 player and the 33rd overall ranked player in the nation decides where he will continue his basketball careeer. According to a report from 247 Sports, Braydon Hawthorne will announce his official commitment tonight at 7:00PM live on YouTube. Hawthorne will make the announcement at the Salvation Army Gym in Beckley, West Virginia.
BREAKING: #1 player in West Virginia Braydon Hawthorne will announce his college decision Tuesday at 7PM! pic.twitter.com/NF2QJ8Z5FE
— The Voice of Morgantown (@voicemorgantown) May 18, 2025
Hawthorne, a 6’9 190 pound forward from Beckley, West Virginia, initially chose West Virginia over offers from Ohio, Pepperdine, Old Dominion, Florida Gulf Coast, Mount St. Mary´s and several others. However, when Hawthorne entered the portal when Darian DeVries left West Virginia to become the next head coach at Indiana, some of the most prominent schools in the nation pursued him. Hawthorne has since visited Kentucky, Duke, Virginia Tech – where former associate head coach Chester Frazier is now employed – Pitt, and of course, West Virginia to meet new Mountaineers’ head coach Ross Hodge and his staff.
According to a source close to the program, West Virginia has offered “an awful lot of money.” From what I understand, the Mountaineers are willing to pay more than double what any other school is right now. Braydon Hawthrone is a major priority for the Mountaineers; he isn’t just the best player in the state of West Virginia by a large margin, he is also potentially a Top 50 overall player in the nation and a potential 5 star recruit. Not only has West Virginia put together a financial package larger than any other school, they can also likely offer more playing time and an opportunity for him to represent his home state.
Yesterday, Hawthorne posted the following message on his social media account: “I haven’t told a soul (about my decision), please stop making assumptions…not even more parents!”
I haven’t told a soul please stop making assumptions… not even my parents 😂
— Braydon Hawthorne (@BraydonH20) May 19, 2025
If Hawthorne hasn’t told anyone, including his parents, where he’s going, it’s impossible for anyone to say for certain where he will end up, but I believe that West Virginia has a very good shot at landing the best West Virginia-born basketball player since Jerry West.
Like I said last night, I am optimistic about Braydon Hawthorne deciding to choose to stay home to play for the Mountaineers.
But no one knows other than Hawthorne himself right now. Here’s what I think:
1. #WVU
2. Kentucky
3. Pitt
4. Duke
5. Virginia Tech— The Voice of Morgantown (@voicemorgantown) May 19, 2025
