Houston added Triston Hawthorne to its 2027 recruiting class on Sept. 17, bringing the group to four four-star prospects. 247Sports currently ranks the class No. 1 nationally, with all four recruits listed among the nation’s top 100. Hawthorne attends South Jones High School and is from Ellisville, Mississippi.
247Sports identifies Hawthorne as Mississippi’s top player. The 247Sports Composite ranks him 15th among power forwards and 80th overall in the 2027 class. He measures 6 feet 7 inches and 190 pounds.
Houston, Ole Miss and Mississippi State were the three Power Four programs that offered him. He visited Houston on Aug. 20, followed by visits to LSU on Sept. 5 and Harvard on Sept. 8.
According to the report by Maanav Gupta for si.com, Hawthorne’s main impact comes around the basket as a rebounder and defender. He averaged 10.8 rebounds, 4.0 offensive rebounds and 4.3 blocks per game, aided by a 7-foot-2 wingspan and athleticism. His offensive game is still developing, though he has produced near the rim and from the dunker’s spot.
Most of his attempts come in the paint, and he makes about 60% of his free throws. Houston’s other 2027 recruits are center Derek Daniels and guards Oneal Delancy and Darrell Davis.
