MARCUS THORNTON LEADING WILLIAM & MARY - ALL-MET ELITE

MARCUS THORNTON

LEADING

WILLIAM & MARY 

 ALL-MET ELITE

BISHOP MCNAMARA HS.
FORESTVILLE MD.

As a junior at Bishop McNamara High in one of the nation's best leagues - the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference - Thornton was lost in the clutter, averaging 17 points a game. Bigger programs took a wait-and-see approach to the slender 6-foot-4 guard.

William & Mary pounced, wooing Thornton hard. He appreciated the attention.

"They made me really feel like they needed me," he said.

Thornton signed before his senior year of high school - and before he blossomed into the Maryland and WCAC Player of the Year.

"That's when heads started turning," he said. "A little too late."

Thornton was at peace with his decision, and it's proved to be a case of a player picking a level where he could thrive.

Thornton averaged 11.1 points as a freshman, and 18.8 last season, when he led the Colonial Athletic Association in 3-pointers made and percentage. He averages 18.8 again through 26 games this year (fourth in the league), and has been a difference-maker in several wins.

He is on track to become the first William & Mary player since Adam Hess in 2004 to be named All-CAA and is a hot streak away from becoming the only Tribe player other than Hess to lead the conference in scoring.

"He's obviously as good a scorer as there is in the league," Towson coach Pat Skerry said. "I think he's a next-level player."

Never bashful about letting fly from behind the arc or slashing to the rim, Thornton has become a more complete player this year, Tribe coach Tony Shaver said.

"His assists are up, he's become more efficient, he really kind of runs the show for us at times," Shaver said.