Bob Thornton
Robert Thornton | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 10, 1962 United States |
| Occupation(s) | Basketball player, coach |
| Years active | 1984–present |
| Known for | NBA player and basketball coach |
Robert George Thornton (born July 10, 1962) is a former professional basketball player and current coach from the United States, with nine seasons of experience competing in the NBA. Most recently, he held the position of lead assistant coach for the Perth Wildcats in Australia's National Basketball League (NBL).
Thornton's collegiate basketball career included stints at Saddleback Community College and the University of California, Irvine. In the 1984 NBA draft, he was chosen as the 87th overall pick by the New York Knicks.
Throughout his time in the NBA, Thornton represented five different franchises: the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, and Washington Wizards. Over 283 games, he maintained averages of 3.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per contest. Additionally, he competed professionally in Italy’s Serie A for three seasons, playing with clubs based in Rome, Siena, and Pavia.
After concluding his playing career, Thornton transitioned into coaching roles across several leagues. His coaching résumé includes positions with Continental Basketball Association (CBA) teams such as the Yakima Sun Kings and Quad City Thunder, as well as with the Huntsville Flight of the NBA Development League (NBDL). He also served on coaching staffs for NBA teams including the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves. Between 2007 and 2011, Thornton contributed as an advance scout for the Oklahoma City Thunder before accepting an assistant coaching role with the Memphis Grizzlies in December 2011.
In January 2021, Thornton moved to Australia to take on the role of lead assistant coach for the Perth Wildcats.