Houston’s 2027 basketball class now includes Triston Hawthorne, who committed to the Cougars on Sept. 17. The addition gives Houston four four-star prospects for the cycle, and 247Sports currently ranks the group No. 1 nationally. All four players are listed among the site’s top 100 recruits.
Hawthorne attends South Jones High School and is from Ellisville, Mississippi. He measures 6 feet 7 inches and 190 pounds. 247Sports lists him as Mississippi’s top player, while the 247Sports Composite ranks him No. 15 at power forward and No. 80 overall in the 2027 class.
Among the Power Four programs that offered Hawthorne were Houston, Ole Miss and Mississippi State. He visited Houston on Aug. 20, followed by trips to LSU on Sept. 5 and Harvard on Sept. 8. The report, written by Maanav Gupta for si.com, describes Hawthorne as a developing offensive player who has produced near the basket and from the dunker’s spot.
He attempts most shots in the paint and makes about 60% of his free throws. Hawthorne averaged 10.8 rebounds, 4.0 offensive rebounds and 4.3 blocks per game. His 7-foot-2 wingspan and athleticism are expected to aid his rebounding and defense.
He joins center Derek Daniels and guards Oneal Delancy and Darrell Davis in Houston’s class.
