This week Pitino visited and watched five-star junior Derryck Thornton Jr. of Findlay Prep school near Las Vegas. He reaffirmed that Thornton has a scholarship offer from the Cardinals and brought up the idea that if he wanted to reclassify to 2015, U of L would love to have him for a major role next season.
Thornton's father, Derryck "Big Tank" Thornton Sr., said "odds are" that his son will remain in 2016 because he wants to enjoy another year of high school and not threaten his long-held goal of making the McDonald's All American Game. Still, he said, the chance for Derryck to be potentially U of L's starting point guard next season is appealing to the Thorntons, who will hold the Cards in high regard no matter the year.
"(Pitino) is going to need another point guard next year, and he feels that Derryck is the best point country," Tank Thornton said. "So he said, 'I'm going to start at the top. I know it would be a year early, but I'd love to have you.'
"And we love Louisville as well. The feeling is mutual. It's something he's considering, but like I said, odds are that (he won't reclassify)."
Tank Thornton said his son - a 6-foot-2 player ranked No. 6 nationally in 2016 by Scout.com - would be able academically to make a move to 2015 if he wants to.
U of L assistant coach Wyking Jones has been recruiting Derryck Thornton Jr., who visited U of L three years ago, for some time, and he's had an offer since this summer, but Tuesday's meeting was Pitino's first with him. Tank Thornton said Louisville and Kentucky, which has recruited Thornton fervently, would make his son's top five when he announces a list in February.
"He feels like the Louisville style of play fits Derryck, and we feel the same," Thornton Sr. said. "They want to get after you on defense, get up and down the court, pressure, pressure, pressure, pressure. Both Derryck and I love that style, and we love Coach P.'s philosophies.
"At the end of the day, it's Rick Pitino. If he says he likes your game, that's impressive because Rick Pitino is a Hall of Fame coach, he's been in the NBA, he's won NCAA championships with two colleges. If I'm not mistaken, he's the only coach to ever do that. So he knows what he's looking for."
Tank Thornton said one of the most impressive things about Pitino is the amount of hands-on involvement he has in his players' individual instruction and skill development.
"Maybe the most of anyone I've talked to, he's in the gym with the kids daily," the father said. "We're looking forward to coming out there."
Tank Thornton said there's a "100 percent" chance his son will visit Louisville for a game this season, likely late in the schedule.
This post was edited on 4/9 5:07 PM by Cardiotonic
Thornton's father, Derryck "Big Tank" Thornton Sr., said "odds are" that his son will remain in 2016 because he wants to enjoy another year of high school and not threaten his long-held goal of making the McDonald's All American Game. Still, he said, the chance for Derryck to be potentially U of L's starting point guard next season is appealing to the Thorntons, who will hold the Cards in high regard no matter the year.
"(Pitino) is going to need another point guard next year, and he feels that Derryck is the best point country," Tank Thornton said. "So he said, 'I'm going to start at the top. I know it would be a year early, but I'd love to have you.'
"And we love Louisville as well. The feeling is mutual. It's something he's considering, but like I said, odds are that (he won't reclassify)."
Tank Thornton said his son - a 6-foot-2 player ranked No. 6 nationally in 2016 by Scout.com - would be able academically to make a move to 2015 if he wants to.
U of L assistant coach Wyking Jones has been recruiting Derryck Thornton Jr., who visited U of L three years ago, for some time, and he's had an offer since this summer, but Tuesday's meeting was Pitino's first with him. Tank Thornton said Louisville and Kentucky, which has recruited Thornton fervently, would make his son's top five when he announces a list in February.
"He feels like the Louisville style of play fits Derryck, and we feel the same," Thornton Sr. said. "They want to get after you on defense, get up and down the court, pressure, pressure, pressure, pressure. Both Derryck and I love that style, and we love Coach P.'s philosophies.
"At the end of the day, it's Rick Pitino. If he says he likes your game, that's impressive because Rick Pitino is a Hall of Fame coach, he's been in the NBA, he's won NCAA championships with two colleges. If I'm not mistaken, he's the only coach to ever do that. So he knows what he's looking for."
Tank Thornton said one of the most impressive things about Pitino is the amount of hands-on involvement he has in his players' individual instruction and skill development.
"Maybe the most of anyone I've talked to, he's in the gym with the kids daily," the father said. "We're looking forward to coming out there."
Tank Thornton said there's a "100 percent" chance his son will visit Louisville for a game this season, likely late in the schedule.
This post was edited on 4/9 5:07 PM by Cardiotonic
