By MATTHEW BROWN
Journal Sports Writer
Al Thornton has faced several turning points, several decisions, and several transitions, all of which has led him to an enviable position among the fraternity of basketball players. After achieving star status in the college game, the former Perry High School Panther can now sit back in that famous green room and let someone else make the big decision.
All of those choices led Thornton from Perry to Florida State University. His next stop: Madison Square Garden in New York City for the 2007 National Basketball Association Draft on June 28. He has his invitation in hand, which isn’t surprising since he is not only a projected first-round selection, but also a potential top 10 pick.
The 6-8, 220-pound forward is already finding out a little bit about life in major professional basketball. Since finishing his four-year career with the Seminoles, Thornton has gone through the long process of working out for various NBA franchises. The journey has taken him to Sacramento (Kings), Chicago (Bulls), Boston (Celtics), Charlotte (Bobcats), Minnesota (Timberwolves) and Milwaukee (Bucks).
Prior to his trip to Milwaukee, Thornton spoke via telephone with the Houston Daily Journal about his decisions, his influences and what kind of impact a high draft selection in the NBA will have on his life.
Not only is Thornton getting a taste of the traveling from city to city NBA players go through, but also the business aspect of professional sports. He said these franchises are interested in how he will fill their needs.
“Some want to see how well you shoot the ball,” said Thornton. “Some want to look at your overall skills, your quickness. It all depends on what the team needs. Everyone has different needs.”
He called it a very “fatiguing” process, since no sooner is he done with one workout he’s hopping on a plane to the next city. But it’s also “very exciting.” He said it’s an opportunity to learn about the different NBA clubs and how he will fit in.
“This is a once in a lifetime experience,” said Thornton about attending the Draft ceremony in New York. He’ll have his family, including parents Alford and Philomena Thornton, with him in that green room waiting for NBA Commissioner David Stern to make the announcement.
“It means a lot, especially for my mom and dad,” said Thornton about the impact of this experience on his family. “I thank them for pushing me, or I would not have been in college.”
This is where Thornton explained his first major decision, which involved possibly not going to college at all. He had his offer from Florida State, but he also had an offer from And 1, a touring streetball organization. Thornton said by listening to his parents he realized he could not miss out on the college experience.
“We’re very proud of his accomplishments,” said Philomena Thornton. “We appreciate the coaches and staff (at Florida State). It’s a big deal.
“This was the goal that he had. We’re happy that he graduated. It’s probably going to be a different transition than going from high school to college, but he deserves it.”
There was another decision Thornton had to make, one that every college junior must deal with when that season ends.
For Thornton, that time was last year, and the choice was whether to stay in school one more year or be an early-entry candidate for the Draft.
“I was very close to testing the waters,” said Thornton, who led FSU in scoring as a junior at 16.1 points per game. “But I talked to my coaching staff, that has a lot of experience at that level. Looking back, (staying) was the right decision.
“This year, I grew up, matured. Alex Johnson (second round pick in 2006) had left, so I had to be a leader.”
So instead of being a marginal prospect that may or may not be taken in the two rounds of the Draft, Thornton feels he turned that corner from someone who wants to play in the NBA to someone who can play in the big leagues.
Not only does he feel he’s grown physically, but he’s also developed the mental aspect of basketball. Or, as he puts it, he’s now a “student of the game.”
His college coach was Leonard Hamilton, who coached the Washington Wizards for one season.
What are the Kings, or the Bucks, or the Wolves, or whoever makes the selection getting with Thornton?
Well, he was runner-up in the voting for the 2007 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year. He is seventh in Florida State history with 1,521 points and third in 3-point shooting at 43.8 percent. Thornton led the ACC in scoring at 19.7 points per game.
He was also the Seminole leader in rebounding at 7.2 and field-goal percentage at .530. As a senior, he set career highs in steals (40), blocks (53) and free-throw percentage (.790).
The game that had to put Thornton on the national radar came at noisy Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke University in his junior season. There, he had 37 points and 15 rebounds to give Florida State its first win ever in the Blue Devils’ famed arena.
“That’s a special place to play,” he said. “They’re all over you.
“Without a doubt, (the ACC is) the toughest conference in America. You have to be ready every night.”
At Perry High School, Thornton averaged 27 points and 11 rebounds per game in his senior season (20001-2002).
Thornton said he hopes his success will bring more recognition to the basketball talent at Perry High and all of middle Georgia.
So what city is it that will want to learn more about Perry and its latest arrival? Is there a team Thornton likes, one he grew up watching every chance possible? Not surprisingly, he lists Michael Jordan as his all-time favorite based on Jordan’s heart and determination.
“I would like to go to Phoenix,” Thornton admitted. “If I had it my way. But that’s probably not going to happen. I just like the way (the Suns) play.”
Thornton is also eagerly anticipating that rookie season, for he said that could be his best one. Afterwards, everyone will know what he’s all about and pay him more attention.
“The NBA is a more patient game,” said Thornton. “Things are more spread out.”
Not only is the NBA Draft a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but for those who are drafted high, it’s also a life-changing one.
“We’re just going to support him, stand by him,” said Philomena. “It’s a great thing.”
Thornton himself said he has a “general idea” of what the future holds. He’s just not sure what he’s going to do first with the benefits from his first contract.
“I will have a lot more money, but I will be the same person,” he said. “I’ve always heard, ‘never let money change you.’ I will still be the same laid back Al Thornton from Perry, Georgia.”
