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02-08-2006, 10:50 AM
Florida State junior Al Thornton, who was named the ACC co-basketball player of the week Monday, says once the season is over, he will consider the possibility of leaving for the NBA.
"Being a player, you definitely think about it," Thornton told the Tallahassee Democrat. "But you have to wait until the end of the season to think about that. Now my goal is to try to put ourselves in the right situation to get to the NCAA [Tournament]."
The 6-foot-8, 225-pound power forward tied his career-high with 37 points and had a career-high 15 rebounds in FSU's 97-96 overtime loss at No. 2 Duke on Saturday.
Last week, Thornton averaged 26.0 points and 9.5 rebounds as FSU (13-6, 4-5) split two conference games. Thornton's 37 points against Duke tied the school record for most points scored by a Seminole player in an ACC game - he tied himself (against Boston College on Jan. 14, 2006) and Ron Hale against Wake Forest on Jan. 14, 2000.
Thornton shared the award with Jared Dudley of Boston College. It marked the second time this season and second time during his career Thornton has earned the award. He also received it following his first 37-point performance against Boston College in January.
In a career-high 42 minutes against Duke, Thornton also was credited with a career-high five assists and tied his career high with three steals.
Thornton's 17 field goals against Duke are the most made in an ACC game in school history.
Against the Devils, Thornton scored 18 points after halftime, including four of the Seminoles' 12 points in overtime. He shot nine of 17 from the field in the second half and overtime as he played all 20 second-half minutes and all five minutes in overtime.
Thornton's double-double was his sixth of the season and second in ACC competition. He scored 18 of the Seminoles' 39 second-half points.
Said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski after the game: "There aren't many kids like him. He's one of the best players in the country."
Thornton, averaging 19.6 points in league games, said he wasn't thinking of the NBA before this season.
"Not at all, man," Thornton told the Democrat. "I just wanted to come in here and compete and have a chance and do something we've never done. You get tired of going to the NIT. ... I never thought that I would have this type of year, putting up these types of numbers."
Read Full Article from Tampa Tribune ( http://www.tbo.com/sports/MGBLHWW3FJE.html)
"Being a player, you definitely think about it," Thornton told the Tallahassee Democrat. "But you have to wait until the end of the season to think about that. Now my goal is to try to put ourselves in the right situation to get to the NCAA [Tournament]."
The 6-foot-8, 225-pound power forward tied his career-high with 37 points and had a career-high 15 rebounds in FSU's 97-96 overtime loss at No. 2 Duke on Saturday.
Last week, Thornton averaged 26.0 points and 9.5 rebounds as FSU (13-6, 4-5) split two conference games. Thornton's 37 points against Duke tied the school record for most points scored by a Seminole player in an ACC game - he tied himself (against Boston College on Jan. 14, 2006) and Ron Hale against Wake Forest on Jan. 14, 2000.
Thornton shared the award with Jared Dudley of Boston College. It marked the second time this season and second time during his career Thornton has earned the award. He also received it following his first 37-point performance against Boston College in January.
In a career-high 42 minutes against Duke, Thornton also was credited with a career-high five assists and tied his career high with three steals.
Thornton's 17 field goals against Duke are the most made in an ACC game in school history.
Against the Devils, Thornton scored 18 points after halftime, including four of the Seminoles' 12 points in overtime. He shot nine of 17 from the field in the second half and overtime as he played all 20 second-half minutes and all five minutes in overtime.
Thornton's double-double was his sixth of the season and second in ACC competition. He scored 18 of the Seminoles' 39 second-half points.
Said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski after the game: "There aren't many kids like him. He's one of the best players in the country."
Thornton, averaging 19.6 points in league games, said he wasn't thinking of the NBA before this season.
"Not at all, man," Thornton told the Democrat. "I just wanted to come in here and compete and have a chance and do something we've never done. You get tired of going to the NIT. ... I never thought that I would have this type of year, putting up these types of numbers."
Read Full Article from Tampa Tribune ( http://www.tbo.com/sports/MGBLHWW3FJE.html)