COLLEGE

Thornton played college basketball at North Carolina State during the 1997–98 season and competed with the Wolfpack from 1997 to 2001 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

In 1997–98, NC State finished 19–14 overall and 8–8 in ACC play under head coach Herb Sendek, and Thornton appeared in 29 games as a freshman, averaging 2.3 points and 1.4 rebounds per game while shooting over 45 percent from the field in limited minutes.

Across those 29 games in 1997–98, he totaled 66 points and 40 rebounds, adding 10 assists and 9 steals while providing frontcourt depth off the bench in conference and non-conference play.

During the 1998–99 season, NC State went 16–14 overall and 7–9 in ACC competition, and Thornton played in 28 games, increasing his averages to 3.5 points and 2.0 rebounds per game while continuing in a reserve role.

In 1999–2000, NC State finished 20–14 overall and 8–8 in ACC play, and Thornton appeared in 31 games, averaging 4.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per game while recording 18 blocked shots across the season.

That 1999–2000 campaign included multiple double-figure scoring performances, and he posted a season-high 14 points in ACC play while contributing consistent interior defense and rebounding in conference matchups.

In his senior season of 2000–01, NC State finished 15–16 overall and 6–10 in ACC competition, and Thornton played in 29 games, averaging 6.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting above 50 percent from the field.

Across the 2000–01 season, he totaled 174 points and 110 rebounds, adding 22 blocks and 16 assists while ranking among the team leaders in field-goal percentage.

Over his four-year college career at North Carolina State from 1997 to 2001, Thornton appeared in 117 games, scoring over 400 career points and collecting more than 250 rebounds while contributing defensively with over 40 career blocked shots in ACC competition.

He completed his degree prior to 2005, concluding his NCAA college basketball career with North Carolina State in 2001.