Q&A with Bootsy Thornton

You Bet Your ‘Bootsy’
Written By Ariel Bedford

Back in 1995, I’m sure it would have been a lofty wager to assume a slim 6’4” shooting guard from Baltimore would go on to torch Duke for 40 points in Madison Square Garden, then eventually beat them in Cameron Indoor Stadium to help his university become the only non-conference team to accomplish such a feat since 2000 (snapping a 114-game winning streak). What probably wouldn’t have been so unlikely would have been the fact that the same player would go on to have a fruitful international professional playing career that would last well over a decade. Or that he and his wife-former Leon High, Lady Eagle and FAMU alum Aquenda Clark-would eventually make Tallahassee their home after years of living overseas.

In between the women’s and men’s final regular season game in Tallahassee vs. Northwest Florida State College on February 25, former Eagle standout and heralded St. John’s Red Storm gunner Marvin “Bootsy” Thornton was honored for his many accomplishments on the NJCAA and NCAA level in a ceremony at mid-court. Afterwards, he took a brief minute to speak on his impressions of TCC Athletics and current crop of ballers: 

Mr. Thornton, could you talk to me about what you’ve noticed in the TCC Athletic Department, particularly the basketball program, since you relocated back to the area?

Well, the basketball program seems like it’s pretty much the same as when we left-still competitive, still getting some of the top players in the country to come here... With the boys and girls as well-Coach Q has done a really good job with them-so the athletic program is still pretty good.

Now considering you were very successful at the NJCAA level, and the NCAA level, what are some of the changes you’ve noticed in the sport of basketball from your heyday to now, coming out here to see [the current TCC Eagles vs Northwest Florida State]?

I see the guys are alot bigger than when I played [chuckles]... Kids are big nowadays-I think TCC does a good job of getting these guys to the next level-for anyone it’s going to be an adjustment period [transitioning from JUCO to major collegiate athletic competition]. Once they get through the adjustment they’ll be fine. You see alot of guys other than myself that left here and been successful at the next level. So there’s an adjustment period but TCC does a good job of preparing the guys mentally and physically to be able to be successful.

And lastly, Mr. Thornton, because I know you’re busy, can you tell me what it means for you personally to be recognized for your contributions to the NJCAA here tonight in the Eagledome?

It means alot. I mean, everyone wants to be recognized for what they did, but I didn’t think about that when I was playing. I was strictly thinking about winning and advancing, and trying to get to college [at a major program]. I didn’t think of it that way, but it feels good to be recognized and all…

Advance, indeed. In the month of March, it’s a word used quite often for many basketball players. It remains to be seen how far the current Eagles players can advance, but hopefully many of them will be able to come close to some of the heights one of their former stars has-on the hardwood and off of it.