Thornwell already earning praise from NBA coaches

Sindarius Thornwell was asked to defend all four positions, and occasionally the fifth in a pinch, in his final season at South Carolina.

So it’s not much of a surprise he’s looking for someone to D up in Summer League.

According to an LA Times story titled “Sindarius Thornwell’s tack is to attack” the Lancaster product has impressed his coach, Sam Cassell with his desire on that end of the floor.

“You don’t ask to guard the best player on the opposite team. He asked for the challenge,” Cassell said. “To see him go out there and put forth the effort and take on the challenge to guard a guy like (Brandon) Ingram was huge. So that is good.”

That’s former No. 2 overall pick Brandon Ingram.

It’s likely if Thornwell finds a place on an NBA roster, his skills as a versatile wing defender who can shoot a little will earn him the spot. He’s averaging 16 points, four rebounds and 1.7 steals in three games.

Clippers’ executive vice president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank praised Thornwell’s feel for the game and his aggressiveness. He also made an impression on Clippers coach Doc Rivers.

“He can score. But what I like more about him is his toughness,” Rivers said. “He can defend. He’s a scoring defensive guard, he can play the two and the three. He’s probably a tweener, so he can do both. His in-between game is amazing. And he makes 3s. When you see them, they don’t look good, but they go in.”

That all might have been summed up best by the nickname bestowed upon him by Cassell.

“The pitbull,” Cassell said. “He’s vicious.”