Ohio State legend Bruce Thornton’s debut in the NBA Summer League went as well as anyone could have hoped for.
Thornton was selected by the Houston Rockets at the top of the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft, and opened up his professional career with a game-high 27 points, giving Ohio State fans a possible glimpse of how his game may translate to the NBA. The 27 points were the most ever by a Rockets rookie.
He led the Rockets to a 97-86 win with a balanced offensive attack, showcasing the same control and shot selection that was his calling card in Columbus. To get to his 27 points, Thornton shot 9-18 from the field and made all 7 of his free throws. Defensively, he had an impact as well with 3 steals. For Ohio State fans, it was a similar story, a point guard who remained steady and never appeared rushed.
The Rockets signed Thornton to a multi-year deal worth $9.3 million days ago and early impressions suggest they may have gotten good value. As summer league progresses, if Thornton is able to continue to stack these kinds of performances, then head coach Ime Oduka may have to look at carving out a larger role than originally anticipated for the rookie.
Rockets rookie Bruce Thornton in his Summer League debut:
27 points
7-18 FG
3-8 3P
7-7 FT
3 assists
3 rebounds
3 steals
+20 in 35 minutesStrong showing. He’s going to deal with a lot adjusting to the size/length/speed of the league, but his physical strength is an immediate… pic.twitter.com/aNIarIRPv5
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) July 11, 2026
For the Buckeyes, if Thornton turns into someone who can play himself into a role on a Western Conference contender, it can hopefully help with the confidence from potential recruits to come to Columbus knowing they can get the proper development needed to play at the next level.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Bruce Thornton Scores 27, Shines in Summer League Debut
