University Southern California Trojans
Pass the Baton
November 01, 2018 | Men's Basketball, USC Ripsit Blog, Features
Thornton was the No. 14 prospect in the nation coming out of high school.
Jordan McLaughlin finished his college career ranked in the school's top five in assists, steals and three-pointers. He was a three-time captain, the consummate leader and helped the program to its winningest three-year stretch in USC history.
JMac will be difficult to replace, but Derryck Thornton had a courtside seat to learn from the school's best and he was taking notes.
"Poise. He never really seemed rattled," Thornton on his biggest takeaway from playing with McLaughlin. "If we were up by 20 or down by 20, he stayed even keeled the whole time. I think that's super important for a point guard, especially with a young team like we have this year."
Thornton has needed to show some poise of his own in his short time at USC. After transferring from Duke, he was forced to sit out a year and then had to earn his minutes as a role player.
"It was a great season to get to sit back and learn," he said. "I didn't get to play as much as I would have liked. I really got to learn from JMac, who is a great point guard, and get closer with the guys and the staff."
In his first season as a Trojan, Thornton averaged 14.2 minutes per game, which ranked ninth on the team. At times, he struggled to find his shot. At others, he struggled to stay healthy, playing in 25 of 36 contests.
Thornton was forced to remain patient as he knocked the rust off his game.
"It was extremely tough. I felt like I was playing catch up all season."
Now, with the starting point guard job wide open and a healthy offseason behind him, he is ready to showcase a new and improved game in the Galen Center.
"This summer, I got in the gym, I worked on my shooting a ton," said Thornton. "I have been watching a lot of film, breaking down great point guards and seeing how I can learn and get better."
"I am excited to see his growth in his new role," McLaughlin said of his successor. "I expect nothing but positive things because of his work ethic and the total team competition from the players and coaches."
"My dad, ever since I was really young, we used to get up at 5 or 6 a.m. and work out," Thornton explained the origins of his work ethic. "Even to this day, I work out every night and every morning. You hear the greats like Kobe talk about all the work he put in the gym, so I feel like if it worked for him, it could work for me."
Thornton is a different style of point guard than McLaughlin. He is a more explosive athlete who constantly has his foot on the gas pedal, which should pair nicely with this team's youthful exuberance.
Jordan Usher, Chuck O'Bannon, Shaqquan Aaron and Kevin Porter Jr. are athletic wings who thrive as finishers on the fast break. Jonah Mathews loves to get out and spot up behind the three-point line. Nick Rakocevic and Bennie Boatwright are mobile big men, both of whom have range beyond the arc.
"We have so many athletic guys. I think we are going to be a great, run-and-gun team," Thornton said.
Fast break basketball starts on the defensive end. The Trojans will need to force turnovers and rebound well to get out in transition consistently.
"His passion on defense will help the team create its defensive identity as he will pick up the other team's guard full court sometimes and change the pace for the opposing offense," McLaughlin praised Thornton.
McLaughlin finished last season with 281 assists, by far the most in the Pac-12, as he orchestrated nearly every half court possession. While Thornton would do well to even approach that figure, the key for this team is to get more touches at all five spots on the court.
"For us to win, we are going to have to play great defense, rebound and share the ball," Thornton said. "We have a lot of raw talent. Sharing the ball is going to help our chemistry."
USC opens its season on Tuesday, November 6, at the Galen Center. If the Trojans win the opening tip, expect the ball to be thrown back to Thornton. From there, the baton is officially passed and a new floor general takes charge.
Click here to purchase tickets to all 2018-19 home games.
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JMac will be difficult to replace, but Derryck Thornton had a courtside seat to learn from the school's best and he was taking notes."Poise. He never really seemed rattled," Thornton on his biggest takeaway from playing with McLaughlin. "If we were up by 20 or down by 20, he stayed even keeled the whole time. I think that's super important for a point guard, especially with a young team like we have this year."
Thornton has needed to show some poise of his own in his short time at USC. After transferring from Duke, he was forced to sit out a year and then had to earn his minutes as a role player.
"It was a great season to get to sit back and learn," he said. "I didn't get to play as much as I would have liked. I really got to learn from JMac, who is a great point guard, and get closer with the guys and the staff."
In his first season as a Trojan, Thornton averaged 14.2 minutes per game, which ranked ninth on the team. At times, he struggled to find his shot. At others, he struggled to stay healthy, playing in 25 of 36 contests.
Thornton was forced to remain patient as he knocked the rust off his game.
"It was extremely tough. I felt like I was playing catch up all season."
Now, with the starting point guard job wide open and a healthy offseason behind him, he is ready to showcase a new and improved game in the Galen Center.
"This summer, I got in the gym, I worked on my shooting a ton," said Thornton. "I have been watching a lot of film, breaking down great point guards and seeing how I can learn and get better."
"I am excited to see his growth in his new role," McLaughlin said of his successor. "I expect nothing but positive things because of his work ethic and the total team competition from the players and coaches."
"My dad, ever since I was really young, we used to get up at 5 or 6 a.m. and work out," Thornton explained the origins of his work ethic. "Even to this day, I work out every night and every morning. You hear the greats like Kobe talk about all the work he put in the gym, so I feel like if it worked for him, it could work for me."
Thornton is a different style of point guard than McLaughlin. He is a more explosive athlete who constantly has his foot on the gas pedal, which should pair nicely with this team's youthful exuberance.Jordan Usher, Chuck O'Bannon, Shaqquan Aaron and Kevin Porter Jr. are athletic wings who thrive as finishers on the fast break. Jonah Mathews loves to get out and spot up behind the three-point line. Nick Rakocevic and Bennie Boatwright are mobile big men, both of whom have range beyond the arc.
"We have so many athletic guys. I think we are going to be a great, run-and-gun team," Thornton said.
Fast break basketball starts on the defensive end. The Trojans will need to force turnovers and rebound well to get out in transition consistently.
"His passion on defense will help the team create its defensive identity as he will pick up the other team's guard full court sometimes and change the pace for the opposing offense," McLaughlin praised Thornton.
McLaughlin finished last season with 281 assists, by far the most in the Pac-12, as he orchestrated nearly every half court possession. While Thornton would do well to even approach that figure, the key for this team is to get more touches at all five spots on the court.
"For us to win, we are going to have to play great defense, rebound and share the ball," Thornton said. "We have a lot of raw talent. Sharing the ball is going to help our chemistry."
USC opens its season on Tuesday, November 6, at the Galen Center. If the Trojans win the opening tip, expect the ball to be thrown back to Thornton. From there, the baton is officially passed and a new floor general takes charge.
Click here to purchase tickets to all 2018-19 home games.
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Players Mentioned
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Forward
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Guard
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