After 'rough' first week, Bruce Thornton, Ohio State freshmen adapting to college life
There’s already been a lot to love about Ohio State for Bruce Thornton.
A freshman point guard, Thornton arrived on campus in early June and has begun the process of acclimating himself to a new roster and higher level of competition. He’s hardly alone in that on a roster with five freshmen and three transfers, but things are starting to settle after four weeks.
Those first seven days, however, were a bit of a doozy.
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“It was rough the first week,” Thornton said after scoring 22 points while playing in the Kingdom Summer League at Ohio Dominican University on July 3. “The conditioning, the weights, every day make sure you’re on schedule, make sure you’re tight on everything that you do. That’s a big thing that Ohio State preached and it really helped me get my feet wet.”
It was a sentiment shared by some of his fellow first-year Buckeyes who are also participating in the annual summer league. Immediately following Thornton’s game, Ohio State freshmen Felix Okpara and Brice Sensabaugh teamed up in a game that saw the latter pour in 50 points.
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Like Thornton, both said their acclimation process to Ohio State has had its customary bumps. Okpara, who possesses a 7-4 wingspan, has been battling third-year center Zed Key in practice.
“Man, Zed is a physical dude,” Okpara said of the 6-8, 245-pound Key. “He’s making me better because he’s pushing me to my limits every day in practice. I’m kind of getting used to him, the physicality, and by the end I’m going to be right there with Zed.”
Okpara blocked at least six shots in Sunday’s game, something Key said he’s seen already in workouts.
“I know he’s going to try to punch my shot so I have to get him off my body,” Key said. “He’s a good defender and I’ve got to use some of my ‘being in college for two years’ stuff. I’ve got to watch my head when I’m guarding him.”
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Thornton has spent time in practice learning from Oklahoma State graduate transfer Isaac Likekele, a fifth-year player who could also see time in the post in addition to the backcourt.
“I love 'Ice,' man,” Thornton said. “That’s like my big bro. he’s showing me the ropes. He’s been through all the grits and grinds and is showing me the ways of how I can be better as a point guard as a freshman and win games.”
Sensabaugh took the top billing of the day with his scoring outburst and said his early college experience has been enjoyable.
“It’s been really fun,” he said. “Ohio State is my dream school, and coming here and actually experiencing it day by day, it was nothing short of what I expected. It’s been a great time. I’m having a lot of fun continually growing, staying in the gym and getting advice every day from coach (Chris) Holtmann, (Jake) Diebler, coach (Jack) Owens.”
All three freshmen separately mentioned that everyday attention to detail as being a key point currently being preached by the coaching staff. Thornton likened it to a business, where the new arrivals are still learning the importance of consistency.
Sensabaugh went out of his way to discuss that shared team mindset.
“I would like to mention Ohio State, the team, the coaching staff, everybody in our little circle is super serious this year,” he said. “Building off what we had last year and stuff like that. We’re super serious in the weight room and the practice gym.”
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Bruce Thornton, Ohio State newcomers adapting to college life
