-thumb-800x607-58282.jpg)
USC men's basketball officially announced the signing of 5-star PG Derryck Thornton, the No. 1 transfer in the country. The former Duke guard, who started 20 games for the Blue Devils last season, will have to sit out the 2016-17 season and then have three years of eligibility remaining.Click here for more.
"I'm truly happy to be home and part of a growing program," said Thornton, a Chatsworth native. "USC sent me my first letter, offered me my first scholarship and now I want to be the player to help lead USC to its first Final Four [in the modern era]. With a great coaching staff and team already in place, I know we can do it together."
Thornton, 19, played in 36 games for Duke, which ultimately made the Sweet 16, and he was the only freshman to make the 2015 2K Classic All-Tournament Team. In one of college basketball's greatest rivalries, Thornton clinched the win over North Carolina with a game-sealing block (video below).
He finished the season second on the team in assists (93) and fifth in scoring (255 total points). His assist total ranks 10th all-time on Duke's freshman list and his 1.58:1 assist-to-turnover ratio ranks tied for seventh all-time by a Blue Devils' freshman.
Thornton was a Top 15 national recruit coming out of Findlay Prep (Nev.) in 2015 as a junior. He reclassified to graduate early after leading his team to a 29-3 record and averaging 17.0 points, 6.2 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game.
