Top In-State Target Decommits from West Virginia

Huntington Prep forward Brandon Hawthorne reopens his recruitment

Christopher Hall | Mar 21, 2025

West Virginia 2025 commit Braydon Hawthorne / @BraydonH20

According to Travis Branham of 247Sports, West Virginia University men’s basketball commit Braydon Hawthorne will reopen his recruitment, following the departure of head coach Darian DeVries.

NEWS: Braydon Hawthorne, the No. 71 overall recruit in the 2025 class, has requested his release from West Virginia & is reopening his recruitment, his father tells @247Sports.

He is the biggest riser this season & he will remain open to playing for the Mountaineers. || Story:… pic.twitter.com/aowtstF3qa
— Travis Branham (@TravisBranham_) March 21, 2025

The six-foot-nine guard/forward is still open to recommitting to the program.

Hawthorne committed to West Virginia in October, choosing the Mountaineers over Florida Gulf Coast, Mount St. Mary's, Ohio, Old Dominion, Pepperdine, Radford, UMBC, and Wichita State.

The Huntington Prep (WV) prep product quickly jumped up the recruiting rankings this season and is currently the 71st overall prospect in the 2025 class, according to 247Sports. He was the highest rated prospect to commit to the Mountaineers.

West Virginia assistant coach Chester Frazier was the lead recruiter.

Hawthorne is the third WVU recruit to announce his decommitment to the basketball program since DeVries fled to Indiana. SoCal Academy teammates Trent MacLean and Kelvin Odih also announced their decommitment earlier this week.