Houston added Triston Hawthorne to its 2027 recruiting class on Sept. 17, bringing the group to four four-star prospects. 247Sports currently ranks the Cougars’ class No. 1 nationally, with all four recruits listed among the country’s top 100 players.
Hawthorne attends South Jones High School and is from Ellisville, Mississippi. The 6-foot-7, 190-pound power forward is ranked Mississippi’s top player by 247Sports. The 247Sports Composite lists him 15th at his position and 80th overall in the 2027 class.
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.
A report by Maanav Gupta for SI.com described Hawthorne as a contributor near the basket on offense and defense. He averaged 10.8 rebounds, including 4.0 offensive boards, and 4.3 blocks per game. His 7-foot-2 wingspan and athleticism aid his rebounding and defensive play.
Offensively, he is less developed but has produced near the rim and from the dunker’s spot. Most of his attempts come in the paint, and he makes roughly 60% of his free throws. Houston’s class also includes center Derek Daniels and guards Oneal Delancy and Darrell Davis.
