SEC Basketball: Six SEC players projected to go in NBA Draft

Mar 4, 2017; College Station, TX, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) celebrates with guard De'Aaron Fox (0) after a play during the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Reed Arena. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; College Station, TX, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) celebrates with guard De'Aaron Fox (0) after a play during the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Reed Arena. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Sindarius Thornwell (0) handles the ball against Duke Blue Devils guard Matt Jones (13) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Sindarius Thornwell (0) handles the ball against Duke Blue Devils guard Matt Jones (13) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Sindarius Thornwell, South Carolina

Thornwell is a 6’5, 214-pound shooting guard/small forward with a 6’10 wingspan. I think Thornwell will be one of the steals of the draft. At almost 23 years old, NBA scouts seem to discriminate against guys who stayed in college all four years.

He is a guy who fits today’s NBA with his ability to play multiple positions. He’s physical and can rebound well enough to play three in the NBA, but he’s also a good enough scorer and defensive player to play shooting guard.

Thornwell averaged 21.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.0 block last season. He was named SEC player of the year and led South Carolina to the Final Four for the first time in school history.

I’ve seen Thornwell projected to go as high as no. 42 to the Utah Jazz and I’ve also seen him projected to go undrafted.

NBA Comparison: Lance Stephenson, Indiana Pacers