Thornton to play basketball at ISU

Kellen Thornton, a former standout at Hillcrest High School, will join the Illinois State men's basketball team next season.

Thornton, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward, enrolled in the second session of summer classes Monday. He will be a freshman and have four years of eligibility remaining heading into the 2008-09 campaign.

Last season, Thornton averaged 9.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game for Brewster (N.H.) Academy, which went 31-4, and captured its first-ever New England Preparatory School Athletic Conference Class A state championship. The Bobcats ended their season with a loss against undefeated and No. 1 ranked Hargrave Military (Va.) in the National Prep School Semifinals.

"Coach Jankovich offered me a scholarship last fall, but I wasn't prepared to make a decision on my college basketball future at that time," said Thornton, who will be a recruited walk-on next season. "I liked the Bloomington-Normal community, and the combination of the players and a great coaching staff really seemed like a good fit."

"I also wanted to add to the success that Illinois State had last season," Thornton added. "They really surprised a lot of people, and I'm excited about being a part of a winning environment."

Thornton was a two-time all-South Suburban Conference and all-area selection at Hillcrest, and garnered all-state honors in 2007. After being named Hillcrest's Most Valuable Player in his final season, Thornton was recognized as a 2007 McDonald's All-American nominee, while also being selected to participate in the McLegend's and Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All-Star games.