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June 16, 2008

NORMAL, Ill. - Kellen Thornton, a former standout at Hillcrest (Ill.) High School and Brewster (N.H.) Academy, 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 a Brewster team that went 31-4, and captured its first-ever New England Preparatory School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC) 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. He scored a season-high 23 points against Worcester Academy (Dec. 5, 2007), and had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in a 99-70 win over Bridgton Academy (Feb. 4, 2008).

"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. "I think they really surprised a lot of people, and I'm excited about being a part of a winning environment. I think I can really excel in coach Jankovich's system, and that was another factor."

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.

"I got excited about Kellen (Thornton) last summer in Chicago, when I saw him play for the first time," said Illinois State head coach Tim Jankovich. "Guys with length, bounce and shooting ability are hard to find, and Kellen possesses all three of those qualities, which gives him tremendous upside."