Rockets add Fred VanVleet insurance in NBA Draft with Ohio State standout

The Houston Rockets kick started round two of the 2026 NBA Draft thanks to a trade. Houston obtained the rights for the 31st pick which previously belonged to the New York Knicks. Houston handed Fred VanVleet help in turn through an Ohio State standout.

Bruce Thornton arrives to Space City following the trade. He left Columbus as the Buckeyes’ all-time leading scorer. Thornton averaged 18.8 points per game this past season for the March Madness team out of the Big Ten.

Thornton’s pick drew praise from NBA analyst for Yahoo! Sports Kevin O’Connor.

“Bruce Thornton was a special college basketball player. Four-year captain at Ohio State. Only 6-foot but he’s 223 pounds with a 6-foot-5 wingspan. Scores at every level, high IQ playmaker, gritty defender. I love him,” O’Connor posted on the social media website X, formerly known as Twitter. “A potential major steal for the Houston Rockets.”

Longtime NCAA Basketball insider Andy Katz loved the pick too, calling Thornton the “definition of hard work, patience and loyalty.” Especially after Thornton stayed at OSU through different coaching changes.

Thornton came close to sliding inside the late first round, though, per Nets insider for ClutchPoints Erik Slater.

“The Nets worked out Thornton on Thursday, and I’m told they had interest in the Ohio State guard,” Slater posted. “Brooklyn opted to take Joshua Jefferson at No. 28 instead. Still have another pick at No. 43.”

Thornton provides another small guard scoring presence next to the sharpshooter VanVleet while also having Kevin Durant up front too. The Buckeyes star also joins rising star Alperen Segun.

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