Gamecocks star Thornwell had to work for greatness
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina’s Sindarius Thornwell squirms and shakes his head slightly when the Gamecocks are referred to as a one-man basketball team.
He might as well get comfortable with the description.
Thornwell has become the Jadeveon Clowney of South Carolina men’s basketball, the face of the program the way that Clowney, was for Gamecocks football before becoming the No. 1 NFL draft pick three years ago.
Clowney was even in the stands Sunday to witness Thornwell’s performance in one of the NCAA tournament’s surprises this year, the seventh-seeded Gamecocks’ 88-81 upset of second-seeded Duke to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1973.
Thornwell downplays his role, saying, “There are a lot of people on this team.” But it’s the wiry, 6-foot-5 senior who’s leading the way by igniting offensive spurts, grabbing the essential rebound or making the late stop.
“He’s the best unheralded great player in the United States,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said the day before Thornwell scored 24 points to help beat the Blue Devils.
Thornwell’s next chance to shine is Friday night on one of basketball’s flashiest stages, with South Carolina (24-10) facing No. 3 seed Baylor (27-7) at Madison Square Garden for a spot in the Elite Eight.
It’s been a year of revelation and redemption for Thornwell, who is one of those rare combinations of NBA prospect and fouryear college player. But he has gotten better throughout his career.
“To be who he is, to grow the way he’s grown, to represent us the way he does, to be loved by his teammates like he is, that’s powerful stuff,” South Carolina coach Frank Martin said. “He’s letting the world see it.”
Thornwell, a South Carolina native from Lancaster, was a solid recruit out of Oak Hill Academy, a national prep basketball power in Virginia. He picked the home-state Gamecocks over North Carolina State to become Martin’s first high-profile signee.
Thornwell averaged 13.4 points a game his first season to make the all-Southeastern Conference freshman team, with many wondering if he would quickly jump to the NBA as a oneand-done phenom.
But he returned to school only to take a step backward. Martin revealed after the season that Thornwell needed procedures on both knees because of chronic tendinitis. As a junior, he showed a different maturity, anchoring a team that tied a school record with 25 wins and was on the cusp of NCAA inclusion until Selection Sunday, when the Gamecocks were relegated to the National Invitation Tournament.
Thornwell, feeling slighted, vowed he would not leave South Carolina without playing in the NCAA tournament. But he did more than just talk the talk.
Thornwell had 44 points and 21 rebounds in a four-overtime loss to Alabama this season, breaking the late “Pistol” Pete Maravich’s SEC record for free throws made in a league game. And in the opening round of this year’s tournament against Marquette, he had 29 points and 11 rebounds to rally the Gamecocks from 10 points down to a 93-73 win for their first tourney victory in 44 years, dating to when Hall of Famer Alex English was a South Carolina freshman.
“Sindarius is quite a player,” English said. “He’s done amazing things.”
One being staying home to play college basketball. English did as well, but he was a rarity. Most great players in the state have taken a road out of town. In the 1990s, top prospects Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O’Neal both went right from high school into the NBA. Raymond Felton left the state and went on to a national championship at North Carolina.
Thornwell has grown off the court as well.
Martin said Thornwell was not nearly as committed as a freshman or sophomore to working the right way. Thornwell had more interest in having fun than a burning desire to succeed. His focus, Martin said, changed as an upperclassman, so much that the coach allows Thornwell to teach as much as anyone on his staff.
Still, Thornwell’s senior season was nearly waylaid by a six-game suspension. Martin said Thornwell violated athletic department policy, and it was later discovered the violation was being arrested last May for marijuana possession and driving with a suspended license. The Gamecocks went 3-3 during Thornwell’s absence, which ended with the start of the new calendar year.
Thornwell said he learned about accountability during his absence, understanding his actions have consequences. He apologized to his teammates and has become their unquestioned leader.
Now Martin can’t stop praising Thornwell and fellow seniors Justin McKie and Duane Notice.
“Those are the guys,” Martin said, “five years from now, you want your next freshmen to be like.”
“He’s the best unheralded great player in the United States.”
– DUKE COACH
MIKE KRZYZEWSKI