Ohio State basketball legend Bruce Thornton has found a home in the NBA.
Thornton was the first pick of the second round of the NBA Draft by the Houston Rockets. The Rockets seem to have targeted Thornton because they had to package multiple second-round selections to secure the No. 31 pick and take the Buckeye floor general. Technically, it was the New York Knicks who selected Thornton, but that is just for logistical purposes, as the trade could not be made official until the new league year.
Thornton left Columbus as Ohio State’s all-time leading scorer after a four-year career in which he started every game. In his senior season, Thornton averaged 19.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting 55.4 from the field. He also shot 40 percent from 3-point range and 82.9 percent at the free-throw line. It is those stats that showcased his three-level scoring and efficiency that attracted many NBA teams.
The 6-foot, 223-pound guard was a four-year captain as well and had one evaluation call him “a high-IQ playmaker.” Thornton projects as a potential rotational guard who can space the floor and fit alongside ball-dominant creators. His 6-5 wingspan and stout frame will allow him to absorb contact and be able to handle himself defensively.
Bruce’s selection adds to Ohio State’s lineage of NBA guards and cements his legacy as one of the most productive players to ever wear the scarlet and gray.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Sunny on X:@thesunnyv
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton picked in the NBA draft second round
Reporting by Sunny Verma, Buckeyes Wire / Buckeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Sunny Verma, Buckeyes Wire | USA TODAY Network
