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Portland Trail Blazers: 5 options for pick No. 26 in 2017 NBA Draft

By Raymond Simms

Mar 10, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after making a basket late in the second half against the Seton Hall Pirates during the Big East Conference Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 10, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after making a basket late in the second half against the Seton Hall Pirates during the Big East Conference Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Sindarius Thornwell (0) celebrates with South Carolina Gamecocks guard PJ Dozier (15) during the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Sindarius Thornwell (0) celebrates with South Carolina Gamecocks guard PJ Dozier (15) during the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Sindarius Thornwell, SG, South Carolina

Sindarius Thornwell was a late arrival into this year’s draft scene. DraftExpress projected in September 2014 that Thornwell would go pro in 2016. But he was absent from their draft boards up until late March this season. With the senior season he had at South Carolina, his rising stock is justified.

Thornwell took up the mantle of team leader following the graduation of Michael Carrera and drastically improved his stats from his junior to senior year. He averaged 21.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game in 2016-17. That’s 8.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 0.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks better than the prior season. Thornwell also shot 44.5 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from three, a year-to-year improvement of 6.3 percent and 6.2 percent, respectively.

His strong season earned him the SEC Player of the Year award. He was also able to lead the team to their first-ever Final Four.

Thornwell showed he can do almost everything: score, rebound, and especially defend. His 88.8 defensive rating is ninth-best in Division I hoops. That type of versatility could serve an NBA team well if they utilize it correctly.

However, draft scouts point out that his lack of athleticism could hold him back. NBA.com worries about his lack of explosion. They are also concerned about his tweener status, but that has become less of an issue in today’s NBA.

Meanwhile, The Ringer notes his issues with his first step off the dribble and his over-reliance on plowing into the lane to draw fouls. That may work when you’re 214 pounds at the college level. However, the lack of calls he’ll likely receive as a young pro may negatively affect that facet of his game.

But if Sindarius Thornwell gets drafted and learns how to be a more creative playmaker, he could hold up well as an NBA player and be a good value draft selection for Portland.

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