Houston added power forward Triston Hawthorne to its 2027 recruiting class on Sept. 17, giving the Cougars four four-star prospects for the cycle. Each of the four is ranked among the nation’s top 100 players by 247Sports, which currently lists Houston’s group as the No. 1 class in the country.
Hawthorne, who attends South Jones High School and is from Ellisville, Mississippi, is listed at 6 feet 7 inches and 190 pounds. 247Sports ranks him as the top player in Mississippi, while the 247Sports Composite places him 15th among power forwards and 80th overall in the 2027 class.
Houston was one of three Power Four programs to offer Hawthorne, along with Ole Miss and Mississippi State. He visited Houston on Aug. 20, then made trips to LSU on Sept. 5 and Harvard on Sept. 8.
The report describes Hawthorne as a player who can contribute around the basket on both ends of the floor. He averaged 10.8 rebounds and 4.0 offensive rebounds per game, along with 4.3 blocks. His 7-foot-2 wingspan and athleticism are expected to support his work as a rebounder and defender.
