NCAA Basketball: 10 best players from state of South Carolina of last decade

3. Sindarius Thornwell – South Carolina

A top 40 prospect, Thornwell was one of the best shooting guards in the class of 2013. This 6’5 guard from Lancaster stayed in his home state, becoming one of Frank Martin’s first freshman recruits at South Carolina. Thornwell started all 132 games across an impressive playing career with the Gamecocks, with everything really coming together in his senior season.

He was a dynamic offensive weapon from the beginning, averaging at least 11 points a game in each of his four seasons. Playing both guard positions, he also had solid assist and steals numbers, but it’s that final season where Thornwell’s legacy was made. He averaged 21.4 points and 7.1 rebounds for a Gamecocks team that finished 3rd in the SEC. Thornwell then scored at least 24 points in every win of an unexpected run to the Final Four for the Gamecocks.

Twice on the SEC All-Defense team, Thornwell was named SEC Player of the Year for that senior season. That award came before leading South Carolina on that unforgettable postseason run. Thornwell led the SEC in points and steals and was one of the most efficient player in the nation. He was drafted late in the 2017 NBA Draft and has bounced around the NBA and G-League; though Thornwell now continues his career overseas.