Bruce Thornton Selected by Houston in 2nd Round of 2026 NBA Draft
6/24/2026 8:35:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Thornton is the 57th Buckeye to be selected in the NBA Draft
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State point guard Bruce Thornton was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 1st pick of the second round (31st overall) of the 2026 NBA Draft on Wednesday night. Thornton is the 57th Buckeye to be selected in the NBA Draft.
Thornton is one of the best players to ever don the Scarlet and Gray. The only four-time captain in program history, Thornton became the school’s all-time leading scorer this past season, finishing his career with 2,164 points. As a senior in 2025-26, he averaged career-highs in points and rebounds and scored the ninth-most points in a single season in program history. He earned his third All-Big Ten honor and was named an honorable mention AP All-American.
He finished his career with the 19th most points of any player in Big Ten history and is just the second Big Ten player with 2,000 career points, 500 career assists and 500 career rebounds.
The Fairburn, Ga., native graduated in December of 2025 with a sports industry degree.
Buckeyes in the NBA Draft
Thornton is the 57th Buckeye to hear his named called in NBA Draft, which dates back to 1947. He is the first Buckeye to be selected since Brice Sensabaugh was taken with the 28th overall pick by the Utah Jazz in 2023.
Thornton’s Career Honors
- Honorable Mention AP All-American (2026)
- All-Big Ten
- Second Team (2025, 2026)
- Third Team (2024)
- NABC All-District (2025, 2026)
- Emerald Coast Classic Most Valuable Player (2023)
- Big Ten Player of the Week (12/23/24, 11/10/25, 2/23/26, 3/10/26)
- Big Ten All-Tournament Team (2023)
- Academic All-Big Ten (2024, 2025, 2026)
Thornton on the Career Charts
Thornton finished his career in the Top 10 of 14 career or season statistical categories in the Ohio State record books.
Rk. Category
1st Career points (2,164)
1st Career free throws made (455)
2nd Career games started (136)
3rd Career assists (541)
3rd Career three-pointers made (221)
3rd Career three-pointers attempted (580)
5th Career field goals made (744)
5th Career free throws attempted (549)
5th Season free throw percentage (.853)
6th Career field goals attempted (1,530)
8th Career free throw percentage (.829)
9th Career games played (136)
9th Season points (677)
10th Season three-point percentage (.424)
Big Ten Medal of Honor Winner
Bruce Thornton was honored this year with the prestigious Big Ten Medal of Honor, the highest all-around accolade in the conference, presented annually to one male and one female senior from each school who “have attained the greatest proficiency in athletics and scholastic work.
The award, steeped in tradition, celebrates excellence in both academic and athletic arenas, recognizing student-athletes who demonstrate outstanding leadership, academic achievement, and competitive success. The Big Ten Medal of Honor is the conference’s most historic award, bestowed annually since 1915 at each member institution, honoring seniors who excel in their respective sports and academic endeavors.
Thornton is the 13th men’s basketball Buckeye to earn the award and the first since Aaron Craft in 2014.
Ohio State Men’s Basketball Big Ten Medal of Honor Recipients
1931 Charles R. Larkins
1936 Bruce B. Laybourne
1947 Warren E. Amling
1954 Paul Allen Ebert
1959 Larry P. Huston
1960 Richard L. Furry
1961 Richard H. Hoyt
1963 Jerry R. Lucas
1964 Donald H. Flatt
1968 Wilmer F. Hosket
1971 James Cleamons
2014 Aaron Craft
2026 Bruce Thornton
#GoBucks
