Houston secured a commitment from Triston Hawthorne on Sept. 17, adding the South Jones High School power forward to its 2027 recruiting class. The group now includes four four-star prospects, all ranked among the nation’s top 100 by 247Sports. That site currently places Houston’s class at No. 1 nationally.
Hawthorne is from Ellisville, Mississippi, and stands 6 feet 7 inches while weighing 190 pounds. The 247Sports Composite ranks him No. 15 among 2027 power forwards and No. 80 overall. 247Sports also lists him as Mississippi’s top player.
Houston, Ole Miss and Mississippi State were the three Power Four programs that offered him. Hawthorne 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 says Hawthorne can help near the basket on offense and defense. He averaged 10.8 rebounds, including 4.0 offensive rebounds, and 4.3 blocks per game. His 7-foot-2 wingspan and athleticism contribute to his rebounding and defensive ability.
Offensively, he remains 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 about 60% of his free throws. Houston’s class also includes center Derek Daniels and guards Oneal Delancy and Darrell Davis.
