Despite UK Athletics still listing Hawthorne at 6'8" 195 (same as last year), there are multiple reports out there, including video from BigBlueDylan on X that say/show Hawthorne has grown another inch or more and is more 6'9" and change this year. Add to that his recorded nearly 40" vertical in agility testing at the beginning of summer and his 7'3" wingspan his NBA prospects are high on those numbers alone. The bigger question is, can he put it all together in a late bloomer body as he continues to grow. Looks and sounds like an athletic freak with tons of potential but is all knees and elbows because he can't put on weight because he keeps growing.
My best guess, Hawthorne has moments of greatness and moments of "what the heck was that" possibly on the same play. Very high ceiling but probably not quite the stud he will be one day. Hopefully a good "ceiling comparison for season growth wise would be Nate Ament. Obviously Nate is much better, and came in much better, but they are similar in size and form. Nate struggled early, didn't shoot it well, and struggled with physicality. He ended up being a stud down the stretch. I think his floor is Kam last year. Random struggles early with confidence and shooting, trouble adjusting to the speed of the game against good opponents, flashes of Kevin Durant against the cupcakes.
I don't think our season depends on Hawthorne being great. But if he is, he's the one guy (not in our starting 5) that could make us legit if he's hitting on all cylinders.
