The Real Reason Derryck Thornton Didn't Make The NBA! Stunted Growth

Today’s feature is the story of timing, fit, and development, using the examples of a player whose basketball journey took an unexpected turn, and soon showed those were exactly what he’d need to achieve his goal of making the NBA. When you see point guards like Lonzo Ball, De’Arron Fox, Dennis Smith Jr, even Peyton Pritchard all go on to make successful transitions from high school to college to the NBA, you can’t help but think of Derrick Thornton Jr, who would’ve been ranked just as if not higher than those guys, had he no reclassify to an earlier class in order to attend college a year premature. As the saying goes, timing is everything, and the weeding out process in sports makes exceptions for no one. Once a decision is made and acted upon, it can change the course of everything expected to happen. Thornton as far as development was on his way to being as good as it gets on his level, a player compared to Kyrie Irving in high school, that could break the pressure of a defense with ease, cerebral player the son of a coach, a natural leader, solid athleticism, and a great foundation as far as his shooting form to see why he was ranked a top 13 player in his reclassified class and top 3 at his position, recruited by Kentucky, Arizona, and Duke. Derryck Thornton was a good player that took a great risk, that cost him a lot more in the end. What Happened? The Real Reason Derryck Thornton Didn't Make The NBA! Stunted Growth
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[@stuntedgrowth]

The decision you make can determine fit, development and throw off timing. Making the journey much harder. A huge risk that can work, but be sure you're ready for the other side of that decision being a success.

[@B3hoopz]

Wonder what happen to diamond stone he was 5th on that list and the other top players

[@derronmarshall3349]

@@B3hoopzyooo this a good one bro

[@ManovSteelo]

Need a SG on Dominic Artis out of the Bay Area (and Oregon and then UTEP fame), please!!

[@lilernez2347]

3 schools in 5 years ? And stats got worse every year ? 🤦‍♂️. That means his age group caught up and passed him ….

[@grapplerke]

No school or AAU club is going to develop your skills. Nowadays you have to take that matter into your own hands and have good management that will guide and direct you in your path.

[@johndavis9321]

​@@grapplerkeyup it is imperative for kids and parents to look to invest in a solid skill development plan/skills coach cause many of these aau teams and even a lot of these high school teams know how to or even want to actually develop players and help them get better it's all about wins and highlights nowadays

[@grapplerke]

@@johndavis9321 Can’t even blame the AAU teams and coaches. Players come and go and parents are crazy delusional these days. As a coach you have to do what’s best for your program, which is understandable. Having a separate developmental coach would be key.

[@DMalltheway]

Do one for Patrick McCaw, 2nd round pick which Jerry West said teams would be sorry they didn’t take him. Ghosted the Warriors after 2 chips to get more PT, got another chip and still no PT and been out of the league for 2 years.

[@730manijay]

He was tuff 🔥🔥

[@AnthonyS1750]

You forgot to mention his major injury at duke that actually set him back. He continued to have injury problems

[@mikecobarrubias7095]

You should do Jaylen hands!!!

[@stephjustice1991]

This is an excellent choice.

[@gfor3]

College basketball is such a big decision these days . These guys peers can become millionaires and you can become a rec league player if you aren’t careful

[@J-Mark444]

Facts I lived that I’m 31 and never really had the opportunity and can still ball to this day but never had the proper supporting class but I was disciplined and easy to coach

[@matthewharris5886]

Simple. He should’ve never reclassified. He may be in the NBA if he would’ve just stayed with his original class and continued to develop. Never really seen it work out for reclassifying except for Marvin Bagley and Kira Lewis.

[@user-qq2sr6bl1y]

Andrew wiggins too

[@thebrotherhood6391]

You think Cooper Flagg gonna be alright after reclassification to come to Duke early? I think Flagg will shine and go on to be the #1 pick but time will tell.

[@ManovSteelo]

This is the PERFECT example of a "Stunted Growth"; doesn't get any Realer! Thank you! T That said, I disagree with why Thornton didn't make it, notwithstanding what was presented in the vid as reasons. It comes down to desire and willingness to self-assess, and neither the player nor his Dad was willing to do that at any real point when the kid was in the national spotlight. Dad's fault for allowing Coach K's selfish pitch to reclassify become a reality instead of prioritizing the kid's HS interests (academics; McDonald's Game; HS All-American status). For Thorton's part, however, he couldn't run a play to save his life; all the HS footage on him is from the freewheeling summer circuit, where he fast breaked and downhill boogied to the rim, showcasing his open-floor game. At Duke, he struggled in their motion offense and only had the best game of his career vs VCU early in the season, where Coach K just let him go out and play to the tune of 22 or 23 pts, if I remember correctly. Looked just like his "Poor Man's Kyrie" days in HS. Thornton also didn't have the maturity to go to Coach K at season's end and ask why he failed and what it would take to succeed at Duke. No need to transfer, just Man Up and get better. The photo at 1:42 of him with all future NBA players, notably Brandon Ingram, is telling. Talent-wise, he was as good as, or better than all of them, but didn't have the mental game to go along with that ability. Stops at USC and BC were sorry spectacles; I wound up tuning out pretty fast but congratulate him for being a pro overseas wherever he is now.

[@gapgamer0954]

Dior Johnson transferred to 12 high schools in his his school career which blows my mind 😮😮 how is that allowed? Overall Dior will make a great overseas player if he doesn't get drafted or picked up by nba team or g league team

[@pineapplegritz7281]

"Timing, fit and development" 😮 BARS!!!

[@user-px4dx7yi3x]

so well-produced - I'm always impressed by the quality.

[@lanob1380]

Haven't watched the video yet but the people you've made videos about recently are really good and interesting stories for sure.

[@thanupan]

How about doing Zhaire Smith? Or a whole 76ers draft stunted growth…

[@therealspikeflee]

That 76er’s one is a fire idea

[@youwontlikethistake]

It always seemed pretty simple to me. He didn’t want to put in the work. He wanted everything to be handed to him and, instead of fighting for his spot, he’d just leave and go somewhere else until they acquired more talent. Truly a shame and waste of talent.

[@NoBiasAllBoxing]

You don’t know that man that’s what’s wrong w/ you dweebs on the internet 😒

[@AnthonyS1750]

Just not the case

[@youwontlikethistake]

@@AnthonyS1750 It really can’t be anything else. So many athletes fall short of what they could have been because they’re lazy and entitled. Never had to work for anything due to their God-given talent. This kid is just one more in an already large group.

[@DiorInEveryStore]

@@youwontlikethistakeYall be comin up with these narratives based on a 10 minute video lmao

[@youwontlikethistake]

@@DiorInEveryStore Not even remotely close to true. Thornton left Duke after one year because Duke brought in Frank Jackson, who was a 5-Star Recruit and 10th in the ESPN 100. He left USC after he earned a starting spot once Jordan McLaughlin left for the NBA, but didn’t live up to his 5-Star expectations at a lower-tier program than his 1st. After he lost his starting spot at USC towards the end of the 18-19 season, He finally landed with a “bottom of the barrel” ACC school where he no longer had to compete, as quality athletes don’t actively choose to play for Boston College. In 4 years of college basketball, he never improved in any facet of his game. His only meaningful contributions came while leading bad basketball teams, where his efficiency continued to decrease as he went along. He left every situation in which he wasn’t handed exactly what he wanted. He clearly wanted to ride his 5-Star status to the League without actually having to put in the work. Happens all the time and he’s just one of many.

[@bjm8161]

Great stuff.. You should do one on Nick Johnson (Arizona) one of the most athletic cats coming out of High school.

[@TheSportsandFilmFellowship]

True

[@MTimmons19]

Super Facto💯

[@EliteMixtapes]

Great video but why did you cut off the watermark at 5:26 ? 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@sasuke6ixx802]

that boy was cold asf in high school

[@couldbeanyone8174]

Facts 💯

[@KingofAwesome09]

As a Duke fan, I rooted for him, but he wasn’t much of a leader like we thought he’d be. Glad to see him get a chance at a pro career nonetheless.

[@blaxson10]

Who was the last duke pg to have a successful nba career? Tyus Jones?

[@jgault23]

Tre jones, kyrie, Seth curry

[@g.o.a.tsports2880]

All he did was reclassify to his original year. How much development could a 19-year old really get with an extra year in high school.

[@CraigSmithII]

@Stunted Growth Great video. Didn't know nothing about this dude nor about Frank Jackson(S__t I forgot about him) If you haven't done him already I would like to see you do a video on the former Duke player Jalen Johnson, the guy that QUIT on his team during the COVID season & didn't give(he later admitted that nobody didn't need to know) a reason as to why he left the team too soon.

[@littlesmallz5562]

@stuntedgrowth Hey man can you do one on Terrell Taylor of Bridgeport,CT went to Creighton with Kyle Korver

[@ljerns2167]

I’d like to see one done on Ricky Davis or Darius miles

[@Crobdillus1991]

Could you please do Alex Poythress?

[@goodfellabeats]

Was rooting for him coming out of HS. Smooth game and had the IQ. But, yeah, came out too early. If you're going to reclassify, you gotta make sure that you're going to a program where you can be that guy.

[@Slimbrodie67]

I enjoy watching for good reasons, they aren't busts as well not wasted talent, its just trials and tribulations happens. We don't know the real truth about these people situations at all. Just life experiences that's all.

[@user-pv8wj7nd5l]

You should do John Henson from UNC !

[@thebrotherhood6391]

You can blame Duke all you want but it was Thornton( and his family/dad) that didn't want to stick around Duke and get coached up and get better. He came to Duke and didn't perform like he thought he was gonna and blamed everyone but himself, he thought he was gonna go to USC and show out and show everyone Duke was the problem but as we all seen it was not Duke that was the problem. He should of stayed at Duke but he ran all the way to the other side of the country. I pulled for Thornton and have kept up with him every since he committed to Duke and im glad he's atleast getting to play the game he loves for a career. Oh and yes Thornton graduated from USC

[@R3aS0NaBL3]

Also, can we get a Gabe York vid? 🤔

[@BigJellly]

You should def do Malik Newman … still is one my favs ! Was in this class and was projected a top pick

[@R3aS0NaBL3]

2:00 in tho. Good lord lol

[@JustGersie]

Would love to see a video on Sacha Killeya-Jones.

[@couldbeanyone8174]

Stunted Growth can you do a stunted growth on Jaylen Felton

[@jpesicka999]

The one dude who came out of Duke after JT went 2nd rd 31st. Not exactly guaranteed a spot in the league or even on the team roster, I’s bet a lot Of 2nd rd picks don’t make the team or make the team for a year or 2, maybe G League. Never heard of him tho. I don’t believe another year in high school guarantees anything as far as a better career goes. Nor do I think he was in college too early EXACTLY, even though hindsight can tell you it was a bad idea. I think the issue was not going to the right school the first time. Without a transfer portal it really set him back having to sit that season. Prob should have played overseas after freshmen year tbh because his first season at USC was the worst.

[@rose4mvp2012]

Shoutout to his pops who helped Granddad drop that Thugnificent diss track lmao

[@couldbeanyone8174]

I remember him back when he was in junior high school

[@jamesgray6421]

He ruined my day when he blocked that shot against UNC

[@JordanO317]

He never got any better from high school. And Duke was the last to place to go for his type of game.

[@zacflemo1994]

can you please do Gerald Wallace

[@dionteydavenport5447]

we need a Randolph Childress stunted growth he was cold him and Timmy Duncan on that Wake squad

[@isaiahhodges9478]

Rawle alkins

[@jjjjvmes7611]

it was cuz that duke team was packed

[@boogiedagiant5410]

No coach should ever advise a family to reclass their kid…because if it doesn’t work it they gonna be looking at the coach crazy

[@jaybrown7811]

Do ron Mercer

[@DjGhostPlato]

Please do Tommy Mason Griffin next 🫡🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾

[@Stoneygreat]

Should have did one on Frank Jackson, dude 25 and vanished from the scene.

[@NostalgicRed707]

I mean he was a second-round pick, second round picks usually don't last long unless they're special.

[@PSICK1234ikillallracistrolls]

He went on to play for his daddy aka coach carter aka denzell at Richmond High then became a struggle actor with his buddy ray j when he couldn't make it in college .

[@TheSportsandFilmFellowship]

Gabe York or Nick Johnson next

[@youtubeguy9316]

Hold up, he reclassified but he really went with his correct class, if people don’t notice by now then I’ll help, a lot of players play with kids a year younger than them to have physical advantages which this player did. He reclassified and was 18 so if he stayed in high school he would have been a 19 year old senior and 19 or 20 year old freshman, he just did was slot of players do which is play against younger players that u just have the luxury of time on your side but that becomes a detractor if you don’t take advantage of your advantages over younger players. He didn’t and now he is what he is.

[@emogotti23]

Do Mike Mercer.

[@couldbeanyone8174]

I really him, he was Louis Williams team mate

[@emogotti23]

@@couldbeanyone8174 yeah I know him too. He trains and coaches now.

[@PODTIER]

He should of went to Michigan like he initially was going to do. They get terrible guidance.

[@Joel-eo3mn]

Great video!. However, if Derryck stayed at Duke for a second season it would have been the same year he wpuld have been a freshmen. They could have used him because thety didn't have a reliable point guard that season. He would have had one college year under his belt and with hard work he could have had a great second season at Duke. Also, Coach K would not have lost his job if DT didn't go there as you implied in your video.

[@jeremiahtalkssports1832]

I don't think he implied that Coach K would have lost his job if Thronton would have gone there. He was just speaking a realistic fact that you have to keep getting players and keep on winning. Coach K wasn't anywhere losing his job but he was only saying that no matter who you are you have to keep on winning.

[@Slimbrodie67]

He's better than 60-70 players in the NBA right now big facts. He's still a good basketball player, most high God gives us different journeys and paths in life. I guarantee he'll a be a good play overseas big facts.

[@mariogilbert4260]

That's what happens when the parents kill the golden goose before the golden is layed.... Father saw them💰 and figured skipping senior year would get his closer to NBA...... nope.

[@MidtownMeezus]

He’s just not cut, not mentally tough enough…running from his problems

[@milesbrown1235]

Jesus Christ makes anything possible!!

[@NoBiasAllBoxing]

If he was 18 as a junior then he realistically reclassed to his original correct class 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@loachslife2760]

Do Ryan Harrow next.

[@NoBiasAllBoxing]

We need a BJ Dawson from Michigan State