Four-star Triston Hawthorne commits to Houston basketball over Ole Miss, Mississippi State

The top Mississippi high school basketball player has made his college decision.

South Jones’ Triston Hawthorne has committed to Houston men’s basketball after he announced it at the school on Sept. 17.

Hawthorne is ranked as a four-star recruit and is the No. 1 player in the state, according to 247Sports Composite.

The 6-foot-7, 190-pound forward is the No. 15 power forward in the country and the No. 80 player in the 2027 class.

“I chose Houston because of the communication and transparency,” he said on a YouTube live stream. “From day one, they focused on building a strong relationship with me. They showed me exactly how to fit into their system. They showed me that they can really elevate my game to another level. Not only on the court, but off the court and more so as a man.

“To the Houston fans, I can’t wait to get there, put on a jersey and get to work. You get somebody who’s ready to play hard and just compete every day. And to represent Houston the right way, on and off the court.”

Hawthorne chose Houston over Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Harvard.

Last season, Hawthorne averaged a double-double with 10.5 points, 12 rebounds and 6.2 blocks. He helped South Jones to a 20-12 record and a quarterfinal appearnce in the MHSAA 5A playoffs after losing 62-54 against Wayne County. He earned First-Team Clarion Ledger Large Class All-State honors last season.

“Triston is a coach’s dream, the best player on the court and also one of the hardest-working players in the gym,” South Jones coach Rashidi McCormick told the Clarion Ledger. “He has helped build South Jones into the program we are today while setting the standard for what we want every future Brave to become. An exceptional student, a great athlete, but an even better person.”

The No. 2 player in the 2027 class in Mississippi, De’Shawn Dillon, committed to Georgia Tech football and men’s basketball on Aug. 22.

Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X @MikeSChavez or Facebook at Michael Chavez.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Four-star Triston Hawthorne commits to Houston basketball over Ole Miss, Mississippi State