Sindarius Thornwell will be the steal of the 2017 NBA Draft

Sindarius Thornwell was selected in the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft, making him the only former South Carolina Gamecock in the NBA.

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The Milwaukee Bucks selected Sindarius Thornwell with the no. 48 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, and subsequently traded the pick to the Los Angeles Clippers for cash considerations.

Thornwell is the first South Carolina player to be drafted since Renaldo Balkman was selected with the 20th pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks.

Apr 1, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Sindarius Thornwell (0) reacts after making a basket against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second half in the semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

NBA scouts seem to discriminate against college seniors these days. There were only 13 seniors selected in this year’s draft, with only two going in the first round. And those two (Derrick White and Josh Hart) were selected with the final two picks of the first round.

While a 22 or 23-year-old senior might not have as much up-side as an 18 or 19-year-old freshman, they tend to be more polished, complete players. But the scouts are blinded by that up-side.

Take Thornwell, for example. In his first three years in Columbia, he never averaged more than 13.4 points per game, which is still respectable in the college game, but as a senior he took his game to another level.

Last season he led the SEC with 21.4 points per game, led his team with 7.2 rebound per game, and averaged an SEC-leading 2.1 steals per game. He also averaged 3.0 assists per game for his career and shot 39.5 percent on threes as a senior. In 2017, he was named first-team All-SEC, first-team All-Defense, and SEC Player of the Year.

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Then on top of all of his individual accolades, Thornwell helped lead the Gamecocks to their first Final Four in school history.

At 6’5, 215 pounds, Thornwell is a physical two-guard who can rebound and defend well enough to play the three. He’s an unselfish scorer and is an excellent outside shooter. But I think where Thornwell is going to make his mark is on the defensive end. He’s got the tools to be an effective 3-and-D player at the next level.

There were 11 shooting guards taken ahead of Thornwell in the draft, most notably Malik Monk and Luke Kennard, who went no. 11 and no. 12. And while he might not be able to shoot like the two of those guys, don’t be surprised if he turns out to be just as good of an NBA player.

Mark my words: When all is said-and-done, Sindarius Thornwell will be the biggest steal of the 2017 NBA Draft.