After Kentucky’s 72-63 win over Ole Miss, head coach Mark Pope addressed a question that’s been quietly simmering among fans for weeks: Could freshman Braydon Hawthorne shed his redshirt and suit up this season?
It’s a fair question, especially with injuries mounting and depth becoming more of a concern as the grind of SEC play wears on. But for now, Pope made it clear-the redshirt stays on, and not by choice.
“It’s something that has certainly been a discussion,” Pope said postgame. “Most importantly right now, he is not healthy. We can’t burn the redshirt now, because he’s not healthy.”
That’s a tough blow for a Kentucky squad that’s already had to navigate its share of roster challenges this season. And for fans hoping to see the 6-foot-8 freshman from Huntington Prep make an impact down the stretch, it’s a disappointing update.
Hawthorne has been a name to watch since arriving in Lexington. At 190 pounds with a versatile frame and high-upside skill set, he’s the kind of player who could eventually slide into a meaningful role-especially in today’s college game, where rotations can shift quickly and freshmen are expected to contribute early. But as Pope emphasized, none of that matters if he’s not physically ready.
“He’s an incredibly talented player who could really help us down the road,” Pope added. “We’ll see. He’s got to get healthy first.”
That’s the key-health. Until Hawthorne is cleared and ready to go, any talk of burning the redshirt is just that: talk.
Still, let’s not lose sight of the bigger picture. Kentucky is rolling right now.
Saturday’s win over Ole Miss marked their fifth straight SEC victory, and there’s a growing sense that this team is starting to hit its stride. The chemistry is building, the rotation is tightening up, and they’re finding different ways to win-always a good sign come January.
Yes, the Hawthorne situation is one to monitor, especially if the injury bug continues to bite. But for now, the Wildcats are stacking wins, and that’s exactly where their focus needs to be.