Rockets select Bruce Thornton

Hemingway · Jun 25, 2026 at 9:13 AM

Bobbythegreat said: ↑

Do you really think a 6 foot tall guy that isn't particularly athletic is going to make a living scoring in the paint or are you just attempting to troll with this dumb ****?

The guy comes off as a mix of Aaron Holiday and Daishen Nix... or like a significantly shorter JaeSean Tate that can dribble better. It's fine for a second round pick but this isn't anyone that is likely making serious noise in the NBA.

Maybe you're just trolling for the love of the game, but it's ineffective when it's this weak.
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No just reminds of the great white hope, that also can’t score in the lane, but according to some, is a future all-star pg.

Bobbythegreat · Jun 25, 2026 at 9:24 AM

Hemingway said: ↑

No just reminds of the great white hope, that also can’t score in the lane, but according to some, is a future all-star pg.
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Well, at least this guy has enough melanin for you to get behind him even if he doesn't have the talent.

I do prefer it when weirdos are honest about their hot takes.

ROXTXIA · Jun 25, 2026 at 9:31 AM

Bobbythegreat said: ↑

Well, at least this guy has enough melanin for you to get behind him even if he doesn't have the talent.

I do prefer it when weirdos are honest about their hot takes.
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Go after @Reeko too.
Their posts are sometimes akin to watching clips of WNBA players bodyblock Caitlin Clark to the court (no foul called, Angel Reese clapping) and other such transgressions.

At least keep the disdain equal, hmn.

Reeko · Jun 25, 2026 at 9:33 AM

ROXTXIA said: ↑

Go after @Reeko too.
Their posts are sometimes akin to watching clips of WNBA players bodyblock Caitlin Clark to the court (no foul called, Angel Reese clapping) and other such transgressions.

At least keep the disdain equal, hmn.
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Huh?

How desperate are you to be some sort of victim?

what a fcking weirdo

Hemingway · Jun 25, 2026 at 9:34 AM

Bobbythegreat said: ↑

Well, at least this guy has enough melanin for you to get behind him even if he doesn't have the talent.

I do prefer it when weirdos are honest about their hot takes.
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I have no idea whether Thornton is any good or not. Just pointing out why Reed-only fans are Reed-only fans. I’m not the one with the skin pigment infatuation.

Bobbythegreat · Jun 25, 2026 at 9:38 AM

ROXTXIA said: ↑

Go after @Reeko too.
Their posts are sometimes akin to watching clips of WNBA players bodyblock Caitlin Clark to the court (no foul called, Angel Reese clapping) and other such transgressions.

At least keep the disdain equal, hmn.
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I do prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt whenever possible, usually suggesting that they might just be a casual rather than the issue being 45 IQ bigotry... but when people are insistent when it comes to showing you their character flaws, you just have to believe them eventually.

Bobbythegreat · Jun 25, 2026 at 9:40 AM

Hemingway said: ↑

I have no idea whether Thornton is any good or not. Just pointing out why Reed-only fans are Reed-only fans. I’m not the one with the skin pigment infatuation.
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This is 100% confession by projection, just feel free being who you are. There's no point in lying about something that is manifestly observable.

zeeshan2 · Jun 25, 2026 at 9:41 AM

37th overall by the athletic:

I’m probably going to be higher on Thornton than the consensus. He’s so polished as a scorer and has such a well-rounded set of on- and off-ball skills that could translate. He takes the advantages that are given to him and maintains them in ball screens. He can score in the midrange at an exceptionally efficient level and takes advantage of his shots at the rim. His 3-point volume could take a leap, too. He wins the possession game by never turning the ball over.

I’m certainly worried about him getting taken advantage of on defense. But I also think he has more pathways toward being OK on that end than most 6-foot guards because of his power. Thornton needs to improve his passing vision and needs to maximize himself on defense. The margin for error for guards this size is essentially non-existent in the NBA, and I think there’s a chance we look back at this class and Thornton ends up as one of the best players outside the NBA.

But he’s one of my top two-way grades in the class, and I’d prioritize him in the draft.

Thornton is undersized but powerful. Weighed 215 pounds at the NBA Draft Combine. Built like a football player. Doesn’t get bothered by contact. He is incredibly efficient in his movements. Rarely seems to put a foot wrong forward.

One of the most productive scoring guards in college basketball this year. It’s hard to overemphasize his blend of efficiency and volume. Was the No. 1 player on the scouting report every night by a significant margin for Ohio State and still averaged 19.9 points per game while shooting 55.4 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3 and 82.9 percent from the line. Thornton became the first guard in over 30 years to post those percentages while averaging at least 19 points per game and taking at least four 3s per game.

Not a true three-level scorer because of his output at the rim, but thanks to his floater, he’s pretty close. Typically needs a ball screen to get loose. Powerful frame really helps. Exceptional at using his frame to maintain an advantage as he keeps defender on his hip. Because he’s so wide, you can’t get around him. Also excels at snaking ball screens and finding ways into the midrange or toward the rim. Not particularly shifty but seems to be flexible through his hips while playing off two feet.

A terrific shooter from every level off pull-ups. Constant threat to score. Drilled 34 percent of his 3s on pull-ups this year on about two attempts per game, even though that’s not his main source of attack. Will stop and fire from 3 if a defender isn’t all the way up at the level.

Prefers to get into the middle of the court. Hit midrange pull-up jumpers at a 52.7 percent clip, per Synergy. Seems like he’s playing in slow motion compared to everyone else in this range. Will hit defenders with hesitations and inside-out fakes before rising and firing. Can get into the middle of the court, plant wrong-footed and realign in midair to get his body set at the rim. Will drive and hit contested fadeaways from the midrange. Loves that area from 6 to 12 feet from the rim.

Thornton also took advantage of his chances as a driver. He doesn’t get there often, averaging just over two attempts at the rim per game. But when he does, he makes them. Hit 72 percent of his shots at the rim this past season despite having zero dunks in half-court settings. Also drew five free-throw attempts per game, not a bad number for a perimeter-based player. If he has a skinnier player in front of him, he can power through him and use a variety of finger rolls to score. Blends long and short strides on his drives well. Finishes high off the glass. Hits shots with both hands. Does a good job shielding the rim protector from the ball with his body.

Hit 56.7 percent of his floaters this season, taking nearly two per game. Plays off two feet and has a wonderful jump stop floater. Loves the one-handed push shot. Has some range on it, too. Can make them from about 14 feet.

His skills as a scorer translate without the ball. Ohio State played a small backcourt with Thornton and Juni Mobley, allowing Thornton to play as an off-ball scorer regularly. Excellent catch-and-shoot 3-point scorer. Drilled 43.4 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s, taking about two per game, too. Very reliable. Made a few shots directly off screening actions from 3 and was also sharp at curling into midrange jumpers. I wonder if he can increase his 3-point volume in the NBA.

Was also one of the better players in the country this year at attacking closeouts and finding buckets that way. If you give him any space or close out heavily, he’s going to efficiently work his way into the middle of the court for a midrange bucket or find his way to the rim. Takes advantage of what’s given.

Not a dynamic passer, but he does a good job making the easy ones after he draws defenders. Averaged 3.9 assists per game this year and topped out at nearly five per game last season. Because he’s such a scorer, he also rarely turns the ball over. Had a three-to-one assist-to-turnover ratio because he only turns it over 1.3 times per game. Can be relied upon to make good decisions even if they’re simple decisions.

Defensively, Thornton knows where to be. He plays well through off-ball actions and can stay attached to his man. He wasn’t responsible for many breakdowns, and it felt like his communication was good. He was fine getting through screens on the ball and has good footwork. I don’t think there are many pathways for someone this small who isn’t overly disruptive to be a plus NBA defender, but he could find a way to survive and not get hunted.

Areas for improvement

Came in at 6 feet without shoes at the combine. Has a 6-foot-5 wingspan but posted an 8-foot-0.5 standing reach.

His athleticism compared to other NBA players will be interesting to track. Not particularly explosive. Does an amazing job playing off two feet and accessing his power blended with his flexibility but doesn’t have a ton of vertical pop and his first step isn’t strong.

Thornton is probably going to be scheme-dependent. Because he tends to play a more methodical style, I would prefer him in a situation with more of a structured offense as opposed to one that relies on chaos and free-wheeling action. In part, that’s because he’s not the most athletic player. I’m also not sure he consistently sees the passing reads and maintains advantages across the court.

I wouldn’t say that he outright misses passing reads because he is so efficient as a scorer in that in-between area. However, Thornton’s tape over his four years at Ohio State offered little to suggest that he can drill next-level reads effectively. Most of his assists came from one pass away or out in transition. Would love to see him find kickouts more consistently as opposed to just perimeter swings or interior dump-offs. His average of under four assists per game isn’t ideal for a lead guard.

My biggest worry for Thornton is on defense. He’s physical and can hold his line when a bigger guard tries to drive through him. But he’s not that quick. I worry about Thornton against a variety of on-ball matchups he could face in the NBA. Quicker guards might get the better of him, because while I like his downhill hip flexibility when he drives, I didn’t love it laterally when he had to drop his hips on defense. It felt like he could get stuck in the mud.

Thornton’s lack of size is going to create issues in switch situations where teams try to hunt him in matchups. Bigger wing-sized creators will be able to shoot over the top of him without getting much of a contest. And he’s not disruptive like a Fred VanVleet with his frame, either, by trying to get underneath taller players. Would love to see him add that kind of tenacity to his game.

Thornton’s off-ball defense was average, not great, and that’s an issue for his size. He’s a smart player, so he generally knew where he needed to be. He rotates well given his limitations. He closes out where he’s supposed to close out and scrambles well. But I didn’t think he was wildly anticipatory, either. Didn’t create much havoc with disruptive hands. I also worry about Thornton being plugged in as the low man in help situations in the NBA, where he’ll be asked to tag rollers or stay attached to a corner shooter. He’s certainly strong enough to bump players off their lines, but he won’t be able to tag effectively because of his size. He might struggle in one-on-two situations on the backside, too.

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https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/in...-2026/player/bruce-thornton-ohio-state-guard/

zeeshan2 · Jun 25, 2026 at 9:47 AM

Offensive Profile

The offensive end has been Bruce Thornton’s calling card his entire collegiate career, progressing from a connective piece to a primary offensive engine for the Buckeyes. Delving into the metrics, his offensive numbers are bonkers. In his freshman campaign, Thornton contributed 0.08 OWS/40 (cbbanalytics.com), placing him in the 83rd percentile that season. The following season, that number rocketed to 0.13, putting him in the 99th percentile, where he’s remained his entire tenure. On top of that, this season Thornton has an RAPM of 5.7 (98th percentile) and an ORAPM of 4.1 (99th percentile). When Bruce takes the court, the offense operates at a higher rate, resulting in complete possessions. This is further proved through Ohio State’s drastic difference in offensive net rating when Thornton is on the court versus off. In lineups without Thornton, the rating drops from 126.4 to 103.1, a 23.2-point differential that places him within the 99th percentile. The root of all these impressive numbers is Thornton’s ability to generate a diverse profile of plays that not only allow him to thrive but also open up opportunities for his teammates.

Thornton is a midrange maestro. This season, he’s scored 1.11 points per possession (hoop-explorer.com) on midrange attempts (99th percentile). Thornton tends to utilize his low center of gravity and sturdy strength to take one to two dribbles, break through the arc, create separation, and rise for a soft middie. His favorite area to attack lies on the foul line extended, where he shoots 67% from that range. They say the midrange is a lost art in the NBA. However, it remains an integral part of playoff game plans, especially with teams laser-focused on limiting three-point attempts and closing driving lanes, creating a path for Thornton to be a potential playoff contributor.

Similar to his midrange, Thornton’s rim outputs yield elite results. While only 43.1% of his points are off rim attacks, Thornton scores 9.9 points in the paint per 40. As previously mentioned, Thornton doesn’t possess lightning straight-line speed, captivating length, or immense verticality. His rim finishes stem from calculated movements that leverage his strength and coordination. The guard likes to accelerate once he’s in the paint, which catches defenders off guard, allowing for easy buckets. His first step isn’t the most twitchy, but it’s fast enough to get the edge on a consistent basis. He possesses an arsenal of ball fakes, combined with jabs and step-throughs, that create adequate space for finishes. Even if Thornton struggles to create separation with his defender, he’ll often resort to using his raw strength to stay upright, maintain balance, and convert. Thornton shields the ball particularly well, likely due to his imposing shoulders, which allow him to retain control through contact. Many of Thornton’s rim attempts aren’t forced, scoring 1.24 points per possession on rim attacks. Thornton’s soft touch in the midrange translates to a sufficient floater game. The next step in Thornton’s finishing development is to generate more fouls. His 5.2 personal fouls drawn per 40 are a tad misleading, as you’d like his 37% free throw rate to be a bit higher. His limited wingspan also raises the question of whether his rim-finishing efficiency will translate against longer defenders.

Bruce Thornton’s three-point shooting has been highly reliable the past four years, shooting 38.2% from long range. Yet his three-point attempt rate throughout college is just 38.1%. While the attempt rate doesn’t meet the usual NBA threshold, the efficiency truly makes up for it. Many of his three conversions come off catch-and-shoot scenarios, often from a driving teammate who kicks it out to him. He’s grown more comfortable creating off the bounce, nailing a few tough threes with defenders in his face. He’s not at the level where he’s knocking down step-backs and fadeaways routinely, but as a projected second-round pick, Thornton will not be shooting five threes a game. He won’t ever be asked to be a primary floor spacer, but choosing the right shots and knocking them down is more critical to function at an NBA level.

Thornton’s playmaking is more than reliable, and of course, it’s extremely efficient. He takes proper care of the ball, with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.00. By protecting the ball well, Thornton maintains his handle and remains calm under defensive pressure. This allows him to penetrate the paint and find open players on the wing at an efficient rate of 1.16 points per possession, placing him in the 95th percentile. Thornton does a proficient job reading help defenders, allowing for some timely passes to open teammates, punishing defenders for overhedges and doubles. While Thornton doesn’t go through many reps operating the pick-and-roll, it’s still done in an efficient manner, at 1.10 points per possession. Passes to the screener won’t be forced, and Thornton will only commit to it if he has an open window. Making passes in tight gaps isn’t his forte. However, he’ll utilize ball fakes to expand these windows, finding guys for easy looks. The major red flag in Thornton’s playmaking profile that alarmed me was his assist rate, which dips as his usage increases. However, with Thornton’s selective and efficient passes, he’ll likely thrive within the flow of the offense as a connective playmaker.

My biggest concern with Thornton’s offensive game is how he handles the NBA’s faster pace. Thornton plays his best basketball within a controlled structure, where he can be more patient and wait for opportunities to arise, mainly in half-court settings. The fastbreak has been an issue for Thornton his entire career, as he struggles to generate both points and assists in the open court, reflected in both the tape and metrics. This is likely due to Thornton’s lack of burst and overreliance on composure. At high tempos, advantages have to be made and recognized on the whim, which makes Thornton lose some of his edge.

Defensive Profile

Bruce Thornton’s defensive game is a trickier evaluation than his offense. Most of this derives from his physical profile, which limits his switchability. Sure, he’ll have the muscle to maintain his ground against guards and some wings, utilizing it to absorb contact. However, his length and lack of verticality make him an easy target to hunt. He doesn’t generate plays off defense, with a lowly stock percentage of 2.2%. Additionally, he doesn’t make many winning plays on that end of the floor, averaging only 0.04 defensive win shares per 40. Given these limitations, one may believe Thornton is a traffic cone. But he’s a much stronger defender than he’s given credit for, especially when watching the film.

Thornton’s defensive positioning has been more than reliable throughout his four years. He stays glued to his man on actions, combining his strength and timely footwork. The low stock numbers are likely due to his selective aggression. You won’t find Thornton gambling on plays by jumping the gap prematurely or pulling the chair. He prioritizes being at the right place at the right time, limiting defensive breakdowns. This also means Thornton doesn’t foul often, averaging about 1.5 a game. His ability to closeout has significantly improved, hustling hard to put a hand in a shooter’s face.

I’m also more optimistic about Thornton being a plus point-of-attack defender. Thornton stays low, uses his sharp footwork and strength to get around screens, and stays connected to his man. He has a pretty good understanding of angles, allowing him to anticipate actions early and properly hedge and recover efficiently. His light-footed nature allows him to ice screens effectively, cutting off plays from ensuing.

It’ll take a lot for Thornton to be a productive defender at the NBA level, especially given his physical shortcomings, but the awareness and discipline are there for him not be played off the floor.

Closing Remarks

Bruce Thornton’s maturity and commitment to play controlled in an efficient manner could make him one of the safest swings in the second-round. Being undersized for the modern NBA and already 22 years old limits his ceiling; however, he’s established a concrete floor as a connective guard who can play within his role and stabilize lineups. Thornton can function efficiently at both high and low usage, making him a perfect depth addition at the end of the draft.

Strengths:

Offensive Efficiency

Inside-the-Arc Scoring

Ball Security

Off-Ball Movement

Weaknesses:

Frame

Transition

Defensive Playmaking

Limited On-Ball Ceiling

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https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/bruce-thornton-is-a-master-of-control

DaDakota · Jun 25, 2026 at 9:57 AM

Hemingway said: ↑

No just reminds of the great white hope, that also can’t score in the lane, but according to some, is a future all-star pg.
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Keep on trying to hide that racism......

DD

BleedRocketsRed · Jun 25, 2026 at 10:07 AM

This man is built like Luke Kechley and he’s a PG? Nice

RB713 · Jun 25, 2026 at 10:10 AM

Did you earl Boykins guard get picked? @Snow Villiers

illwil29 · Jun 25, 2026 at 10:19 AM

roslolian said: ↑

BT had a 3-1 assist to turnover ratio. Cam Whitmore aka mr tunnel vision? What the hell are you even talking about?
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I'm just looking at the highlights.

OremLK · Jun 25, 2026 at 10:19 AM

illwil29 said: ↑

I'm just looking at the highlights.
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He is a score first guy but he's not a bad passer. I do wish he were more of a floor general, but he is a much more willing passer than, say, Aaron Holiday.

illwil29 · Jun 25, 2026 at 10:26 AM

OremLK said: ↑

He is a score first guy but he's not a bad passer. I do wish he were more of a floor general, but he is a much more willing passer than, say, Aaron Holiday.
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I guess its the highlight of watching his teammate wide open cutting to the basket from the baseline that makes me skeptical. If you have that much tunnel vision, than I dont know what to say. Winning plays are winning plays. MJ passed to John Paxton, Steven Kerr, and Craig Hodges for some clutch shots. Those guys were wide open. He took some bad shots sometimes sure. Im just saying all around highlights impress me more than someone scoring all the time.

Newlin · Jun 25, 2026 at 10:28 AM

heypartner said: ↑

Because they had intel that he wasn’t going to last to #39 per @Clutch
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Okay, but Burt Steele doesn’t always get it right.

OremLK · Jun 25, 2026 at 10:29 AM

illwil29 said: ↑

I guess its the highlight of watching his teammate wide open cutting to the basket from the baseline that makes me skeptical. If you have that much tunnel vision, than I dont know what to say. Winning plays are winning plays. MJ pa
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Plenty of highlights of him making the right reads when it's a simpler play. A lot of these bad reads from him were because his gravity was super high in college and he'd literally get triple teamed by taller players. That won't happen in the NBA.

That's not to say he's a true point guard, he almost certainly is not. He is a combo guard.

Aruba77 · Jun 25, 2026 at 10:29 AM

Seems like a good 2nd round pick. He gets points in my book for 1). Potentially making summer league watchable. 2). Potentially shutting people up about Cam Whitmore as he’s likely to have a better career

illwil29 · Jun 25, 2026 at 10:33 AM

OremLK said: ↑

Plenty of highlights of him making the right reads when it's a simpler play. A lot of these bad reads from him were because his gravity was super high in college and he'd literally get triple teamed by taller players. That won't happen in the NBA.

That's not to say he's a true point guard, he almost certainly is not. He is a combo guard.
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Like I said dont know much about him can't judge really. Everything i said was off of an eye test on his highlights. He may be a great prospect, I just thought there were better 2nd round prospects. Im not the front office either. Let's see what happens during summer league.

Futron · Jun 25, 2026 at 10:38 AM

Rokman said: ↑

How would everyone feel if the Spurs or OKC moved up to #31 and got this guy?
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We would feel like he would be properly developed into a Jalen Brunson 2.0
But since he was drafted here, we will be lucky if he can develop himself into a solid bench player

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