Bruce Thornton, who spent the past four seasons at Ohio State and totaled 2,164 points to become the Buckeyes’ all-time leading scorer, was drafted with the No. 31 overall and first pick in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday night.
Thornton is the only four-time captain in Ohio State men’s basketball program history. The Fairburn, Georgia, native was named an honorable mention Associated Press All-American last season after averaging 19.9 points and 5.1 rebounds, both career bests.
The Rockets acquired the rights to Thornton with the 31st pick and cash considerations in exchange for the rights to the 39th and 53rd picks, according to a release.
Thornton is the first Division I player with career totals of at least 2,000 points and 500 assists while recording fewer than 200 turnovers since the NCAA began officially tracking turnovers in 1992-93, according to a release. The 6-foot guard is also the second player from the Big Ten Conference with career totals of 2,000 points, 500 assists and 500 rebounds.
Thornton received the Big Ten Medal of Honor this year, “presented annually to one male and one female senior from each school who have attained the greatest proficiency in athletics and scholastic work.” He was the 13th Ohio State men’s basketball player to earn the award and first since Aaron Craft in 2014.
Thornton finished in the top 10 of 14 career or season statistical categories at Ohio State, including first in career points and free throws made with 455.
He started 136 of a possible 137 games at Ohio State.
Leave a Reply