Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball Target Reveals Surprising Decision

The Duke basketball staff recently hosted Braydon Hawthorne but didn't come out on top in his recruitment.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball
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Although the Duke basketball program secured a place in the final five for Huntington Prep Academy (W.Va.) wing Braydon Hawthorne, the Blue Devils weren't the perceived favorite in the homestretch. But the same goes for fellow blueblood recruiting powerhouse Kentucky, the ultimate surprise winner of what became a high-profile race given the surging prospect's late decision in the 2025 cycle.

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Hawthorne announced his commitment to Mark Pope and the Wildcats, choosing Kentucky over Duke, Pitt, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech.

Many national recruiting insiders didn't see the Kentucky pledge coming. However, it's worth noting that Hawthorne assured his social media followers earlier this week that he hadn't shared his decision with anyone, not even his parents.

After originally committing to West Virginia last year, Braydon Hawthorne recently reopened his recruitment and took official visits to all of finalists, including his trip to Durham to check out Jon Scheyer's Blue Devils just a few weeks ago.

He currently stacks up at No. 33 overall in the 2025 class, according to 247Sports, hundreds of spots higher than where the 6-foot-8, 175-pound four-star sat among his peers last year.

The 2025 Duke basketball haul is still stuck at three pieces, albeit each of the composite five-star variety. It ranks No. 3 in the country, per 247Sports.

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball recruiting news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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