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Thornwell Named First Team All-American By CBS Sports
Men's Basketball  . 

Thornwell Named First Team All-American By CBS Sports

March 30, 2017

PHOENIX, Ariz. — SEC Player of the Year Sindarius Thornwell was named a First Team All-American by CBS Sports on Thursday afternoon.

Through 30 games this season, Thornwell is averaging 21.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game. He’s been instrumental in the team’s deep NCAA Tournament run, averaging 25.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game in NCAA play. His efforts have helped the team to three March Madness wins over top-20 opponents. Carolina clinched its first Final Four berth in school history with an Elite Eight win over Florida last Sunday in New York City. Thornwell was named the NCAA East Regional’s Most Outstanding Player for his standout play in the team’s first four NCAA games.

Thornwell is the all-time leader in games started at South Carolina at 131. He currently ranks in the top-five in program history in points (3rd — 1,926), steals (4th — 198), free throws made (4th — 565) and 3-point field goals made (4th — 185). He recently moved into the top-10 of the all-time assist list and currently ranks ninth with 388.

Thornwell was stellar in conference games in 2017 as he led the SEC in scoring during league play, averaging 22.1 points per game. In addition to earning conference player of the year, he was also an All-SEC First Team selection by both the coaches and the Associated Press. The Lancaster, S.C., native, was also named to the USBWA (U.S. Basketball Writers Association) All-District III Team and the NABC (National Association of Basketball Coaches) District 21 First Team.

The Gamecocks battle No. 1 seed Gonzaga on Saturday night in the National Semifinals. Both programs are making their first Final Four appearances. Tipoff is set for 6:09 p.m. ET with Jim Nantz (pxp), Grant Hill (color), Bill Rafferty (color) and Tracy Wolfson (sideline) on the call for CBS.

CBS Sports All-American Teams:

FIRST TEAM

Sindarius Thornwell, South Carolina
Frank Mason, Kansas
Lonzo Ball, UCLA
Josh Hart, Villanova
Caleb Swanigan, Purdue

SECOND TEAM
Nigel Williams-Goss, Gonzaga
Monte Morris, Iowa State
Luke Kennard, Duke
Justin Jackson, North Carolina
Josh Jackson, Kansas

THIRD TEAM
De’Aaron Fox, Kentucky
Malik Monk, Kentucky
Bonzie Colson, Notre Dame
Johnathan Motley, Baylor
Ethan Happ, Wisconsin