CLEMSON, SC – Clemson’s Kobi Thornton was selected in the third round by the Atlanta Dream in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) draft on Friday evening.
DREAM come true! @kobi_thornton is @WNBA bound! #TLC pic.twitter.com/rpJUv6E0HB— Clemson Women's Basketball (@ClemsonWBB) April 18, 2020
DREAM come true! @kobi_thornton is @WNBA bound! #TLC pic.twitter.com/rpJUv6E0HB
— Clemson Women's Basketball (@ClemsonWBB) April 18, 2020
The 27th pick overall in the 2020 draft, Thornton was the third selection in the third round. She is the third Tiger ever selected in the WNBA draft (Erin Batth, 2001; Chrissy Floyd, 2003) and the seventh draft pick coached by Amanda Butler. Thornton was one of eight players from the Atlantic Coast Conference taken in this year’s draft.
Thornton, a second-team All-ACC selection in 2018-19, finished her career #11 on Clemson’s all-time scoring list (1,440 points), #6 on Clemson’s career rebounds list (772) and #3 on Clemson’s career blocks list (143). She appeared in 120 games in her career, tallied 74 double-figure scoring games and 19 career double-doubles. Following her junior season, Thornton was invited to the 2019 US Pan-Am Games Trials.
.@kobi_thornton is coming to the Dream! pic.twitter.com/cDf8MOyfHl— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) April 18, 2020
.@kobi_thornton is coming to the Dream! pic.twitter.com/cDf8MOyfHl
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) April 18, 2020
“I’m very proud of Kobi and happy for this next part of her journey. It’s been a pleasure and privilege to coach her. Everyone knows what a great player she is, but most don’t get to see the person she is. She has a great heart and is an all-star teammate. I’m very excited to watch her grow and develop as a pro. I will be the president of her fan club! - Head Coach Amanda Butler”
“I’m extremely excited and proud of Kobi. She came in her senior year after a great summer, making alternate with the USA PanAM team and was really confident. Being drafted was a goal of hers and I’m just so happy she was able to fulfill that goal. - Assistant Coach Joy Smith”
“I'm so happy for Kobi. She has the athleticism to play in the WNBA, but it will be much more physical than she is accustomed. Coach Butler and her staff have worked hard to help Kobi develop and I hope she has a long, successful career. - former Clemson Head Coach Jim Davis”
“Kobi Thornton is a super talented and versatile player with a game that will translate to the pro level. She has impressive size and length and has improved so much at Clemson. She can play outside the paint and help spread the floor for a young, rebuilding team in Atlanta. - ACC Network analyst Kelly Gramlich”
“Congratulations to Kobi, the 27th pick in the 2020 WNBA draft to Atlanta. It is tough for any player to make a roster spot in the highly competitive league, but if she is going to make a team it will because she adds value to the team without the Dream having to run offense thru her. Kobi adds value because she defends in two man game and guards on perimeter. She can play in a switching defense and keep smaller players in front with her quicks and length. She rebounds out of her area, runs ahead of the ball in transition and finishes around the rim. Long & athletic with emerging perimeter offensive skill. Coach Butler and staff did a terrific job moving her away from the basket this season to showcase her growth in her face up game from the high post. - college basketball analyst Debbie Antonelli”
