Rockets trade for Bruce Thornton with 31st pick in NBA draft
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 25, 2026, 12:36 AM
Last updated Jun 25, 2026
The Houston Rockets traded up to select Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton with the 31st overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft. Houston acquired the pick from the New York Knicks, trading their 39th and 53rd selections along with a future second-round pick. Thornton, standing 6-foot-0 and weighing 223 pounds, averaged 19.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in his final season at Ohio State. He is expected to enhance the Rockets' backcourt options alongside Fred VanVleet and Reed Sheppard. The team will make its next selection at 55th overall later in the draft.
- •Rockets trade for 31st pick in 2026 NBA draft
- •Houston gives up 39th and 53rd picks to acquire Thornton
- •Thornton averaged 19.9 points and 40% shooting from three
- •He joins a backcourt with Fred VanVleet and Reed Sheppard
- 2:06 AMYahoo Sports — Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton picked in the NBA draft second round
- 12:36 AMYahoo Sports — Rockets trade up in second round, draft Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton
- 12:21 AMYahoo Sports — Houston takes Ohio State's Bruce Thornton in second round of NBA draft
"Former Buckeyes star Bruce Thornton opens Round 2 of the NBA Draft, heading to Houston after a trade and beginning his pro journey with the Rockets.
"The Rockets traded up in the second round to draft Bruce Thornton at No. 31 overall. Now 22 years old, Thornton was an elite shooter at Ohio State.
"After a prolific four-year career at Ohio State, Bruce Thornton was taken by the Houston Rockets in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 25, 2026, 2:06 AMOhio State guard Bruce Thornton picked in the NBA draft second round
Former Buckeyes star Bruce Thornton opens Round 2 of the NBA Draft, heading to Houston after a trade and beginning his pro journey with the Rockets.
- Yahoo SportsJun 25, 2026, 12:36 AMRockets trade up in second round, draft Ohio State guard Bruce Thornton
The Rockets traded up in the second round to draft Bruce Thornton at No. 31 overall. Now 22 years old, Thornton was an elite shooter at Ohio State.
- Yahoo SportsJun 25, 2026, 12:21 AMHouston takes Ohio State's Bruce Thornton in second round of NBA draft
After a prolific four-year career at Ohio State, Bruce Thornton was taken by the Houston Rockets in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft.
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