Kellen Thornton Leaves ISU

[tornado]

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/college/illinois-state/article_4c654d16-b2e8-11df-a0d6-001cc4c002e0.html

this is bizarre...he was a good 3-pt shooter - a tough matchup set get a lot more playing time..

There is obviously more to this story -- and a little research and checking with some of our fine sources shows exactly what it is....
We have learned that Thornton was arrested back in June on the criminal misdemeanor of retail theft...and arraigned on August 10...
..funny how the Pantagraph never knows these things until we clue them in..
he also has a 2nd warrant out for him for failure to pay a fine from a lesser offense back in April...
...and he is not the only guy on the ISU team with an old unresolved case that he failed resolve and has a collections order out for him...

[Da Coach]

It is unusual timing, just shortly after classes begin, limiting his options to transfer elsewhere. Sounds like it was just a sudden decision.
This weakens ISU's already thin frontcourt. Maybe John Wilkins might have to play some 4 or 5, if JW plays this year. He has said he doesn't want to play 4 or 5.

[real fan]

http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/col...cc4c002e0.html

this is bizarre...he was a good 3-pt shooter - a tough matchup set get a lot more playing time..

There is obviously more to this story -- and a little research and checking with some of our fine sources shows exactly what it is....
We have learned that Thornton was arrested back in June on the criminal misdemeanor of retail theft...and arraigned on August 10...
..funny how the Pantagraph never knows these things until we clue them in..
he also has a 2nd warrant out for him for failure to pay a fine from a lesser offense back in April...
...and he is not the only guy on the ISU team with an old unresolved case that he failed resolve and has a collections order out for him...

There has been other ISU players that have gotten into trouble with the law, I doubt a misdemeanor has anything to do with him leaving, my guess is he probably was told that he would not be getting much playing time this season so Jankovic could have room for another transfer , it is what they do at ISU.

[SFP]

It is unusual timing, just shortly after classes begin, limiting his options to transfer elsewhere. Sounds like it was just a sudden decision.
This weakens ISU's already thin frontcourt. Maybe John Wilkins might have to play some 4 or 5, if JW plays this year. He has said he doesn't want to play 4 or 5.

I understand not playing the 5 but the 4? I wonder how much of team player Wilkins will be? Is that why he did not come here because JL would not promise him a starting spot at the 3? IF so then I'm glad he is not here.

[Future Walk-On]

report on Wilkins:

He is still an good shooter and still really athletic....but...

apparently he doesn't know what to do without the ball. he only wants the ball so he can try and score, he hasn't gotten used to American basketball, and he is not comfortable with the theory of help defense and is rusty at zone.

[bufan73]

report on Wilkins:

He is still an good shooter and still really athletic....but...

apparently he doesn't know what to do without the ball. he only wants the ball so he can try and score, he hasn't gotten used to American basketball, and he is not comfortable with the theory of help defense and is rusty at zone.

You can't teach quickness or sharp shooting. You can teach Defense and how to pass the ball.

[PTownHawkeye]

report on Wilkins:

He is still an good shooter and still really athletic....but...

apparently he doesn't know what to do without the ball. he only wants the ball so he can try and score, he hasn't gotten used to American basketball, and he is not comfortable with the theory of help defense and is rusty at zone.

Everything coming out of Redbird camp seems to indicate what you have said...excellent shooter, raw athleticism that is usually only seen at the upper echelons of DI. However, its sounds like he has no desire to learn the game nor play defense...just score.

ISU is going to need JW to be a significant force to avoid sitting in the cellar with Evansville this year.

[Braves4Life]

You can't teach quickness or sharp shooting. You can teach Defense and how to pass the ball.

Everything coming out of Redbird camp seems to indicate what you have said...excellent shooter, raw athleticism that is usually only seen at the upper echelons of DI. However, its sounds like he has no desire to learn the game nor play defense...just score.

Wilkins sounds like Saihou Jassey with a jump shot......

[Da Coach]

Kellen Thornton is transferring to Tennessee State.

[ph]

Wilkins sounds like Saihou Jassey with a jump shot......

I thought I heard Snell say Saihoiu was our best shooter in practice...

[Out of Balance]

I thought I heard Snell say Saihoiu was our best shooter in practice...

He sure was not afraid of letting the ball fly when he got in the game

[tornado]

Just a followup -- It's been over a year since Kellen Thornton left ISU and at least he's getting a chance to play..

he left under unclear circumstances in fall of 2010 but what's known is that he was arrested for an off-campus theft, booted by Jank, then left and will finish his proscribed court supervision in March of 2012.

He transferred to Tennessee State where ex-BU recruits Robert Covington (Proviso West) and DeShawn Dockery (Lansing and Hillcrest HS) are also on the roster....so plenty of Chicago connections...plus they also have ex-Indiana Hoosier Bawa Muniru (has only hit 2 FG all year), and Chicago Hales Franciscan's Patrick Miller..
...
and Kellen is having a decent year -- playing in nearly every game, starting nine times, averaging 4th most minutes played (21.1 mpg) and 9.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg.

[cpacmel]

It always makes me laugh when you say a coach booted someone.

[tornado]

Ex-ISU Redbird Kellen Thornton is averaging 14 ppg & 7 rpg for Tennessee State