Overview
- Hawthorne announced his commitment on Sept. 17 at South Jones High School and on a YouTube livestream.
- He chose Houston over offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Harvard.
- The 6-foot-7, 190-pound senior is known for elite defensive skills and averaged double-digit rebounds plus multiple blocks per game last season and on the Puma Pro16 circuit.
- Recruiting services list him as a nationally recognized four-star in the 2027 class and among the top power forwards in the country.
- South Jones coach Rashidi McCormick praised Hawthorne's work ethic and leadership, and Houston plans to develop his offensive game while deploying his rim protection on defense.