Georgia’s No. 1 senior basketball prospect still hobbling after bizarre injury on championship night
Clemson recruit Marcus Thornton (AJC file)
The pain hasn’t gone away for Westlake’s Marcus Thornton, who suffered one of the most bizarre injuries in the history of the state’s basketball tournament.
The 6-foot-7 Thornton was diagnosed with a severely sprained left ankle after jumping in the air to bump chests with a teammate and accidently falling on a basketball during warm-ups last Friday. Thornton hobbled around to score Westlake’s first basket, then sat out the remainder the Class AAAAA state championship loss to Milton.
“I’m definitely still very frustrated,” Thornton told the AJC. “I was looking forward to one of the biggest moments of my life, and I couldn’t play. There’s nothing I can do about it now, and I’m trying to move forward, but it’s hard.”
Thornton returned to school with a walking boot and crutches. He was examined by doctors on Monday, and has at least a high-ankle sprain. Thornton will undergo an MRI later this week to see if there are any torn ligaments.
Loading ...It was a big blow for Westlake, as Thornton averaged 24 points per game. He is considered perhaps the state’s top senior basketball prospect, and has signed with Clemson. He talked with Clemson coach Oliver Purnell over the weekend.
“Clemson’s coaches are trying be supportive and encouraging,” Thornton said. “They are looking forward to me getting better for next year. My ankle is still swollen, but I’m going to begin (rehabilitation) as soon it goes down, depending on the outcome of the MRI.”
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77 comments Add your comment
RaleighDawg
March 18th, 2010
8:22 am
BigDog!! – I don’t know if Mr. Thornton has common sense, but with his academic accomplishments, I have to believe he knows how to spell it correctly.
RaleighDawg
March 18th, 2010
8:23 am
Congratulations to Jershon Cobb for his selection as an Academic All American.
northside
March 18th, 2010
8:35 am
The two most underated players are Julian Royal and Dai-jon Parker! im on the one to see them dominate westlake in the title game btw Marcus Thornton is really good but so is kendrick and harrow is a stud
Truth4Westlake
March 18th, 2010
8:46 am
I know you guys dont like it but Mr. Georgia is Marcus Thornton from Westlake High School. Jershon Cobb won POY very much deserving so to. I wouldnt of been mad if either one of these kids won the award both are STUDENT athletes first!!!!!
Truth4Westlake
March 18th, 2010
8:48 am
These kids Julian Royal and Dai-jon Parker are not underrated, there top 25 in the nation in there classification. Everyone in the state knows about these guys!!!!!
Jim n Buckhead
March 18th, 2010
8:51 am
A chest bump during warmups? What in the world…..
Sally
March 18th, 2010
8:52 am
What an idiot…like all idiot young athletes!
James the LawLion
March 18th, 2010
9:15 am
How easy it must be to take pot shots at a 17 year old kid who happens to be the best basketball player in this state. He’s been chest bumping all year, and now that a ball rolls under him when he does it, he’s an idiot? No, Sally and LOL@Thornton and the rest of you clowns. YOU are the idiots! No compassion for an injured student athelete. What is it really? Hating that you don’t have, never had, and don’t have any relatives who have the talent and academic background this young man has. Shut up and pray for some divine guidance, you MUTTS!
Jerome
March 18th, 2010
9:27 am
Truth4Westlake
If Mr. Georgia from Westlake High School was really the student that RaleighDawg claims he is than why isn’t he going to play for Ga Tech? OH! I bet it’s because Tech can see the smoke screen!!
LOL,LOL,LOL, academic accomplishments. Get real!!!
trevor
March 18th, 2010
9:54 am
Raleigh dawg…. It’s 3 yrs in a row ( not that that is earth shattering, but if you are gonna spew the facts, get em right) I agree with your thoughts on this kid by the way
Jerome
March 18th, 2010
10:02 am
Sally and LOL@Thornton.
Sounds like James the LawLion is a little testie!! You guys have every right to state your comments just like everyone else.
Lose the attitude James the LawLion. You MUTTS!
James the LawLion
March 18th, 2010
10:37 am
What planet did this LOL cat come from? Scored most of his points on dunks? You’re either smoking that new synthetic crack or that Lil’ Wayne weed or BOTH!!!!! The thing about “Marcus ManChild” is he is a complete player on both ends of the court. He plays within himself and doesn’t try to do too much. He allows the game to come to him and then he attacks. All those players you’ve listed are great in their own right, but the “ManChild” has arrived this year! And he’s second to none. He will be a force to reckon with in the ACC!
James the LawLion
March 18th, 2010
10:40 am
When it comes to people slighting students, you are absolutely right. I am testie! Sounds like you’ve been drinking a great deal of HATORADE, MISS SALLY! Change your diet and YOUR attitude!!!!!!!!
James the LawLion
March 18th, 2010
10:43 am
Hmmmmmmmm, we ALL know how “athletic” Peyton Manning is! He’s relegated to a simple fist pump! Get real!
The U
March 18th, 2010
11:05 am
Its sad that a kid that does stuff the right way (excellent student, never been in any trouble,excellent athlete) has to be insulted in the manner in which some of you have done. So while you are thinking he will fell at Clemson ,i bet you he will graduate ON TIME from Clemson. So to lol@Thornton and to hawks we will see you in the ACC next year . Keep up the Hate , we like the motavation.
Ginger
March 18th, 2010
11:15 am
All you need to graduate Clemson is to have a pulse!!
Flo-Ri-Duh!
March 18th, 2010
12:06 pm
He signed with Clemson – why?
James the LawLion
March 18th, 2010
3:06 pm
hmmmm, after the SuperBowl, he’s BLACK AND BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RaleighDawg
March 18th, 2010
7:58 pm
Trevor – my bad and my apologies. I knew Clemson made the dance last year and this year, but I wasn’t sure about anything prior. Before I posted I did google Clemson’s appearance record in an attempt to have the facts, but I must have picked up an article from last year and didn’t notice that. Thanks for the correction !
tori
March 18th, 2010
8:50 pm
Sally you should be named Silly. If you are an adult doggin a kid, please tell me that your accomplishments (academics and athletics) surpassed this kids at 17. At for the nuts that are smack talking about Clemson…….are you crazy? This is one of the best programs both academically and basketball program. The kid is Mr Basketball…can you just say CONGRATS!!!!!
tori
March 18th, 2010
8:55 pm
OH AND BTW Ginger…please tell me that you are smarter than a 5th grader or 12th grader with a 3.8 GPA and 2230 S.A.T, along with a college degree….I’m just saying-lol…hmmmm my money is on the kid. Yep and at 17, he is just a kid.
bubba
March 18th, 2010
10:57 pm
Ryan Harrow was selected Gatorade Player of the Year for Georgia
Congrats to Ryan
LOL@Thornton
March 19th, 2010
2:30 pm
The U- when i said fail at clemson, i mean fail on the court, i didnt say in the classroom, dont assume things, wont help you in life…and at least gatorade can get its player of the year choice correct
G-dub
March 19th, 2010
2:37 pm
Sorry guys ,Marcus was clearly the best ball player in the building last friday. He looked like a man among boys
SC Boy
March 20th, 2010
7:51 am
Don’t worry, Marcus. Playing for Purnell you will get lots of one and dones.
Spiller Time
March 20th, 2010
8:43 am
Hey coot. You’ve lost 6 (SIX) straight years to Clemson. How’s those sour grapes? Make the Tourney for once in my lifetime loser.
Bring it on to Tiger Town Marcus!!
JR
March 25th, 2010
8:47 pm
Interesting comments about someone’s child who has never wronged anyone of us personally! These are high school aged kids who should enjoy every moment that God has blessed us with on this earth! Do these kid have to get shot to death, fall out and die on a football field or die in a tragic car crash after partying after a friday night win, before we respect them for studying hard to achieve in the class room and practicing hard to be the best player they can be to support their team. You all have the right to say what you want about any topic, but get real with the BS!