Thornwell talks pledge
Sindarius Thornwell has long been a top priority in the 2013 class for the Gamcock basketball program. Former USC coach Darrin Horn and his staff targeted Thornwell before the start of his freshman year at Lancaster High School. Soon after Frank Martin settled in as the new Gamecock head coach this past spring, he reached out to Thornwell and assured him that his talents were still wanted in Columbia.
Early in the recruiting process, Thornwell was consistent is saying that he wasn't focused on looking at colleges just yet. That thought process slowly started to change this summer when Thornwell admitted it was time to begin narrowing things down.
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After receiving well over twenty scholarship offers, the four-star guard cut his list to two schools (NC State and South Carolina) last week. He planned official visits to both, but Monday evening decided to go ahead and pull the trigger with a commitment to South Carolina.
"I called Coach Lamont (Evans) first because Coach Frank was asleep," Thornwell told Gamecock Central. "He thought I was joking with him but then realized I was for real. He told me now it's time to win the SEC."
The nation's fortieth-best prospect according to Rivals.com spoke to Coach Martin later in the evening Monday and informed him of his decision to commit.
"I did end up talking to him and he was just like thanks for giving him and his staff a chance," Thornwell said. "He was excited and he just said to be ready to work."
Over the years, Thornwell has made numerous visits to South Carolina's campus. That comfortable level he established with the school, the players, and the coaches was one of the primary reasons he chose the Gamecocks.
"It's home," he said. "I feel comfortable with coach and the entire staff. I just love the support that South Carolina always showed me. I just want to stay home and represent my state."
One asset that Thornwell will no doubt bring to USC is his relentless work ethic. Thornwell discussed what Gamecock fans can expect out of him in the future.
"I get in the gym as much as possible," he said. "I try to just respect the game and give it all I've got every time I'm on the court. I want to help South Carolina win twenty games and get to the NCAA tournament while I'm there."
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