Mountaineer Miracle in the Making? West Virginia Pushes for Last-Minute Sway as Braydon Hawthorne’s Decision Looms Tonight
It’s the kind of night that ignites hope across the hills and hollows of West Virginia. As the sun sets over Morgantown on this electric June evening, all eyes are locked on one name—Braydon Hawthorne. The 6-foot-8 small forward out of Huntington Expression Prep has become the state’s crown jewel of recruiting, and tonight, after months of speculation, visits, and shifting allegiances, he is set to announce his college decision. The Mountaineers are still in it. Barely—but just enough for magic to happen.
Just weeks ago, Hawthorne had reopened his recruitment after decommitting from West Virginia, a move prompted by staff turnover and uncertainty in the program’s direction. That decision sent shockwaves through the Mountaineer fanbase, who had watched the in-state phenom rise from local high school standout to a top-50 national recruit. Kentucky, Duke, and even Pittsburgh leapt at the opportunity to lure him away. And by most accounts, Kentucky has held the edge—especially with their new fast-paced system and a deep NIL war chest.
But West Virginia isn’t bowing out quietly.
Insiders say that head coach Darius Wells made a bold, personal visit to Hawthorne’s family home in Beckley last night, accompanied by former Mountaineer great Joe Alexander. The move? A heartfelt pitch not just about basketball, but legacy. Wells reportedly emphasized Hawthorne’s chance to become the face of a revitalized program—the hometown hero who turned the tide.
“Anywhere you go, you’ll be good,” Wells allegedly told him. “But here, you’ll be legendary.”
Sources close to the family reveal the visit shook things up. Braydon’s parents, lifelong WVU fans, were said to be emotional. His high school coach, Marcus Tiller, noted, “He hasn’t looked this uncertain in weeks. I think West Virginia’s passion reminded him what this means.”
Behind the scenes, boosters and alumni are also making late NIL moves. A Morgantown-based tech startup reportedly offered Hawthorne a six-figure endorsement tied to a youth development program. And social media is ablaze: #StayHomeBraydon is trending across the state, with even NFL stars like Pat McAfee chiming in.
Yet, as of 6:00 PM, no one knows where Braydon will land.
He’s set to announce his decision live on ESPN at 8:00 PM from his high school gym. Cameras are in place. Jerseys are rumored to be hidden under the table. The tension is real, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
If West Virginia pulls this off, it will be hailed as one of the biggest recruiting reversals in program history—a statement that despite national pressure and blue-blood money, West Virginia still knows how to fight for its own.
And if they fall short? Well, tonight will still be remembered as the night Mountaineer Nation dared to believe in miracles.
