Recent developments indicate a growing interest from Duke University's basketball coaching staff in Braydon Hawthorne, an athletic forward from Huntington Prep School. The 6-foot-8 player has caught the attention of several prestigious college programs due to his impressive skills and potential. On Thursday afternoon, representatives from Duke visited Hawthorne’s school, as confirmed by his father to a national sports outlet. This visit underscores the serious consideration being given to Hawthorne for a potential roster spot.

Hawthorne's recruitment journey has been anything but straightforward. Initially committing to West Virginia, he decided to reopen his options about a month ago. Since then, he has expanded his collegiate visits, including stops at Kentucky and Virginia Tech. Michigan is also reportedly part of the mix, while the revamped coaching staff at West Virginia remains interested. Despite these connections, there has been no public indication that Duke has extended an official offer yet. Nonetheless, head coach Jon Scheyer and his team are actively pursuing talents to fortify their lineup for future seasons.

The rise of Braydon Hawthorne in the ranks cannot be overlooked. Although ranked 106th overall in the 247Sports composite list for 2025, his significant climb of 141 spots since December speaks volumes about his burgeoning reputation. Such rapid ascent highlights not only his evolving skill set but also the heightened interest from top-tier basketball programs. As Duke continues its search for promising athletes, this pursuit exemplifies the commitment to excellence and growth within their program, aiming to inspire young athletes to reach new heights both on and off the court.