The Duke basketball recruiting machine just keeps rolling — and now, there’s a new name fans should get excited about: Braydon Hawthorne.
The four-star small forward from Huntington, West Virginia, is back on the market after some unexpected coaching changes. Originally committed to West Virginia, Hawthorne decided to reopen his recruitment when Mountaineers head coach Darian DeVries left for Indiana earlier this offseason. Now, some of the biggest names in college hoops — including Duke basketball — are lining up to land him.
According to 247Sports insider Travis Branham, the Blue Devils visited Hawthorne recently and are showing real interest in adding him to their already-loaded 2025 class.
And honestly, the timing couldn’t be better.
A Fresh Target at a Position of Need
Duke basketball has a pretty stacked group coming in next year, but after a few key departures to the NBA Draft, there’s a clear need for a wing like Hawthorne.
With stars Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Tyrese Proctor all declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft, the Blue Devils suddenly find themselves a little thin at the small forward spot. Sure, players like Darren Harris, Caleb Foster, Maliq Brown, Patrick Ngongba II, and Isaiah Evans are all returning to Durham — but adding a versatile, athletic wing like Hawthorne could be exactly what Duke needs to stay dominant.
Hawthorne, ranked No. 106 overall and the No. 25 small forward in the 247Sports Composite for 2025, brings a lot to the table. He’s athletic, he can score, he plays defense, and he’s tough. Exactly the kind of player Duke fans love.
Duke’s 2025 Class Is Already Stacked — but There’s Room for More
Even without Hawthorne, Duke’s 2025 recruiting class is shaping up to be one of the best in the country. Jon Scheyer and his staff have already landed five-star studs Cameron Boozer and Nik Khamenia, plus four-star point guard Cayden Boozer, Cameron’s twin brother.
At one point, the Blue Devils had the No. 1 class locked up. They dropped a little after five-star wing Shelton Henderson de-committed and followed former Duke assistant Jai Lucas to Miami. But even with that hit, Duke’s 2025 group is absolutely loaded.
Adding Hawthorne would be a cherry on top — and more importantly, it would help fill a real roster gap.
Who Else Wants Hawthorne?
Of course, it’s not just Duke basketball going after Hawthorne. Kentucky, Michigan, and Virginia Tech are all showing interest too. Hawthorne even visited Kentucky recently, though he hasn’t set a date for a decision yet.
Recruitments can move fast, but right now, it sounds like Hawthorne is taking his time. That’s probably good news for Duke — the longer this process plays out, the more chances Scheyer and his staff have to make their case.
And honestly, they’ve got a strong one.
Duke basketball sells itself: elite player development, a massive national spotlight, and a real shot at a deep NCAA Tournament run every year. Plus, with the program’s culture of family and brotherhood, it’s an easy pitch to recruits who want more than just a stepping stone to the NBA.
Portal Update: Duke Staying Patient
One interesting thing to note: Duke hasn’t lost a single player to the transfer portal this offseason. That’s rare these days, especially for a program of Duke’s caliber. But they also haven’t added anyone yet through the portal — at least not officially.
That could change soon. Cedric Coward, one of the top transfers still available, has Duke and Alabama as his final two options. But Coward seems pretty focused on the 2025 NBA Draft right now, so it’s unclear if he’ll even end up on a college roster.
Bottom line: Duke basketball’s best way to add immediate impact players for next season might be through high school recruiting — and Braydon Hawthorne could be the next big piece.
What’s Next?
There’s no exact timeline for Hawthorne’s decision, but don’t expect this to drag out too long. Programs want to lock up their rosters sooner rather than later, and Hawthorne has big-time options he’ll need to sort through.
For Duke basketball, landing Hawthorne would be another major win in a summer that’s already looking pretty solid. It would help patch a key hole, give the Blue Devils even more athleticism on the wing, and set up another serious run at a national championship.
If you’re a Duke fan, keep your eyes peeled — this recruitment could get interesting fast.
Stay tuned.