Good morning, BBN!
The offseason continues, and Incoming freshman Braydon Hawthorne, listed at 6’8” and just 175 lbs, is embracing the physical challenge ahead by staying after team drills and playing one‑on‑one with the Kentucky Wildcats’ veterans like Jaland Lowe, Mo Dioubaté, and Otega Oweh.
He explained that “the biggest difference is just physicality, little things like angles,” adding: “They know how to use their body well.”
Though ranked as a top‑35 national prospect for the 2025 class, Hawthorne
recognizes the gap between potential and production.
To close it, he’s logging extra hours this summer, building strength and honing his defensive fundamentals. “I stay after (practice) and play one‑on‑one with them to get used to it,” he said.
Defensive drills at camp have placed special emphasis on legal contests and closeouts, with players being tracked on how many they make versus how many they miss, and facing consequences for any shortfall.
As Hawthorne described, “If you don’t get 100 percent, there’s a punishment behind it.”
Overall, his commitment to the offseason process signals that the lengthy freshman is serious about turning raw skill into physical readiness.
Do you think Hawthorne will see serious minutes this year? Read more from him here.
Tweet of the Day
y’all seeing this? pic.twitter.com/HT3trLO5Pi
— BYU Men's Basketball (@BYUMBB) July 29, 2025
Not Kentucky, but my goodness, this is crazy.
Headlines
Calzada, Boley Provide Cats with Depth at Quarterback - UK Athletics
If Calzada starts slow, the chants for Cutter will be very loud.
Kentucky Track and Field Adds Leevan Sands as New Assistant Coach - UK Athletics
Great addition to the already stacked Track and Field staff.
Five Wildcat Women to Play in the 2025 Lexington Open - UK Athletics
This is awesome! Go cheer them on.
Mark Stoops Press Conference - UK Athletics
Some very motivated comments from Stoops.
Browns CB Martin Emerson Jr. carted off with Achilles injury - ESPN
The Browns cannot catch a break.
NFL training camp injury panic meter: Are Justin Jefferson, Matthew Stafford at risk of missing Week 1? - CBS Sports
Training camp injuries are the worst.
Las Vegas to host FIFA World Cup draw in December - sources - ESPN
That is going to be a wild enviornment.
College basketball transfer portal winners and losers: Will Wade starts strong at NC State; Kentucky reloads - CBS Sports
The Cats are winners!
Arch madness: Browns co-owner downplays Manning draft talk - ESPN
All eyes are on Texas.
Chargers announce QB Trey Lance as Hall of Fame Game starter, former No. 3 overall pick gets opportunity - CBS Sports
The Trey Lance show is back!
More from aseaofblue.com:
- John Calipari recaps another successful NBA Draft for Kentucky Basketball
- Derek Willis joining Miami Heat in NBA Summer League
- Friday Quickies: NBA Dreams Realized Edition
- Isaiah Briscoe joining 76ers for NBA Summer League
- Bam Adebayo to Miami Heat in 2017 NBA Draft
- 2 Kentucky Wildcats and 4 recruits make John Calipari’s U19 team
- Trey Lyles traded from Jazz to Nuggets, teaming up with Jamal Murray
