NBA Draft Scouting Report: Ohio State's Bruce Thornton

Player Info
Prospect Profile
Highlights
Draft Projection
2025 Big Board

Player Info

Bruce Thornton

Guard | Ohio State

Height: 6'2" | Weight: 215 lbs

2025 Draft Age: 21.78

Jan 27, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes guard Bruce Thornton (2) celebrates during the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Value City Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images | Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Prospect Profile

Thornton is an Ohio State guard who is playing in his third collegiate season and is having a great campaign. He’s not the tallest player, but his feel and strong frame make up for it. He plays with so much toughness and competitive fire, which is contagious as he elevates his teammates.

The year-over-year scoring production has increased for Thornton, which is a function of vastly improved efficiency rather than just taking more shots. He’s found ways to generate the shots he likes to convert at a high rate on all three levels. Thornton has emerged as a lethal 3-point shooting threat on high volume, which has taken his offensive game to a new level.

Thornton has natural lead guard instincts with the passing numbers to back it up. He can play either guard spot moving forward, but he likely will be a reserve point guard at the NBA level, given his height. He takes good care of the ball and is good in the pick-and-roll, which will be valuable to NBA teams. He’s a good offensive engine as a scorer or facilitator. Thornton is also a solid rebounder for a guard. He has a nose for the ball and is overall just a smart player who identifies every way he can impact winning.

At the point of attack, Thornton is a good on-ball defender who plays with physicality on that end. He plays with a high level of intensity and is disruptive in several ways. He’s a pest on that end and finds ways to be impactful despite his lack of height. He won’t be the most versatile defender at the next level, but he should be just fine against NBA guards.

Thornton is a former top-50, four-star recruit who has lived up to the hype he has entering the Ohio State program. He doesn’t have star upside, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him end up being a quality backup point guard in the NBA for many years.

Highlights

Draft Projection

Potential Second-Round Pick in 2025 NBA Draft.

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