Bruce Thornton was already grateful the Houston Rockets traded up with the New York Knicks to take him, but the former Ohio State star also quickly realized there was another incentive to landing in Texas.

After being projected by many mock drafts in the late 40s or early 50s entering the week, the Buckeyes’ all-time leading scorer sounds more than ready for his opportunity in Houston. He met with the media following the selection.

Were you anxious going into the night not knowing where you would land?

Bruce: For me, I’m not picky at all. Whoever wanted me and gave me, a kid from Fairburn, Georgia, an opportunity, I would be very blessed and very grateful. I’m so thankful for the Houston Rockets just taking a chance on me. And I’m going to do everything I can in my power to be the best player I can be for the Houston Rockets.

Did you know that you weren’t going to the Knicks at all?

Bruce: I knew at the last minute. Somebody said I got the wrong hat. I’m like, “What do you mean?” Then I heard the Houston Rockets. I’m like, “No state tax, so that’s even better.”

How does being a four-time team captain prepare you for the expectations of leadership as an NBA point guard?

Bruce: First, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, because without him, I wouldn’t be here right now. But for my experiences at Ohio State, being a four-year guy, it definitely helped me. The experience of just going through college, going through life and the stuff that you just go through, it definitely helped me prepare to talk to grown men at this level. But I feel like the experience I have at Ohio State is going to prepare me to be the best player I can be as a Houston Rocket.

What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome in order to get to this point in your life right now?

Bruce: I feel like for me, from a basketball standpoint, I didn’t make it to March Madness my first three years of college. A lot of people chose to leave and make better situations to get to March Madness, but I just wanted to do it at Ohio State. So I did everything I could. My coaching staff helped me. I did a lot of praying, using my faith to the best of my ability, and I got through it my senior year. One of the best feelings, I ever decided to stay at Ohio State for all four years.

Throughout your basketball journey, is there someone that you’ve considered a mentor or looked up to that shaped the player you are today?

Bruce: First, my mother. She sacrificed so much. She also played at the University of Georgia, so she taught me a lot of things like handling the cookie jar, make sure you hold your follow through, boxing out, stuff I didn’t want to hear at all. But she definitely helped me.

And my friends from back home. It was all of our dream to be in the NBA. And for them to have my support, and having a great support cast throughout this journey was a big thing. The village I had behind me throughout this journey really helped me get to the point I am right now.

When Rockets fans start watching you professionally, is there a part of your game that you think will surprise them the most?

Bruce: I think I’m a winner. I want to win everything I possibly can. I’m trying to impact winning. For me, I feel like everybody eats when everybody wins. So I do everything I can. Whatever they ask me to do, I’m going to make sure I do it at a high level and with a great attitude.

When people look back at your career 10 or 15 years from now, what do you hope they remember most about you?

Bruce: I just hope I’m just a kid that gave everything I got each and every night. When I put that jersey on, I’m just going to perform at the best I can each and every night. I’m never going to quit. I’m never going to stop giving up. So I hope everybody can take that one thing from me, that when you have the opportunity, take full advantage of it.

What do you think you will bring to the Houston Rockets in terms of your attitude, work ethic and willingness to get one percent better each and every day?

Bruce: I think it starts on defense. Me just getting to the ball, being disruptive and making big-time shots. We got great players like Sengun and KD at a very high level. So me just filling in my role at a high level, doing the things they need me to do and just impacting winning as much as I possibly can, and being a great teammate in the locker room.

What is the biggest adjustment you expect to have to make in the NBA?

Bruce: The biggest adjustment is probably playing over 100 games in a year. There’s a deep playoff team this year. So [it’s up to] me just adjusting my body, having the time management skills to play over 100 games and try to win a championship.

Another non-conference weekend has been announced for the University of Cincinnati baseball team, as it will participate in the 2027 Nashville College Baseball Series at First Horizon Park March 5-7, 2027.

The rest of the field includes Ohio State, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech.

The UC Bearcats and Ohio State Buckeyes have met 99 times previously, with the last meeting coming in head coach Jordan Bischel’s first season in 2024. The Bearcats and Commodores have met 13 times, with the last meeting taking place in 2004. Next year’s game will also mark the 53rd all-time meeting between Cincinnati and Virginia Tech. The two teams met annually from 1979 to 1991 as Metro Conference foes.

Earlier in the week, it was announced that UC would face Georgia Tech, Illinois, and Tennessee at the 2027 Live Like Lou Jax College Baseball Classic in Jacksonville, Florida.

More on College Baseball Series, First Horizon Park

.The College Baseball Series is a premier collection of early-season Division I college baseball tournaments.

First Horizon Park opened in 2015 and is the home to the Nashville Sounds, the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The stadium is located in the Germantown neighborhood just north of downtown Nashville. Elements that make First Horizon Park one of the best venues in Minor League Baseball include a spacious 360-degree walkable concourse for an enhanced viewing experience; unique group outing spaces; an expansive suite level; LED ribbon boards; a nine-hole miniature golf course; and of course, the iconic guitar scoreboard.

UC Bearcats outfielder Derrick Pitts Invited to USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp

UC outfielder Derrick Pitts has been invited to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp. Pitts is one of just four Big 12 players to receive an invite and one of 53 players total invited to camp.

Should Pitts make the team, he would be the first Cincinnati player ever to represent the program on the squad.

The St. Louis native appeared in 58 games in 2026 and hit .329 with six home runs, 42 RBI, 12 doubles, and 49 runs scored while swiping 17 bases.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — It’s almost America’s 250th birthday, and many Ohioans may already be planning their celebrations.

Many of those celebrations may include the use of fireworks. Prevent Blindness Ohio is warning about the potential dangers associated with the colorful explosives in light of its sixth annual Fireworks Safety Week, which runs from June 28 through July 4.

In a press release, the organization cites the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in noting that there were 15 fireworks-related deaths and 13,000 injuries reported in 2025.

Most of the injuries were to hands and fingers, followed by the head, face and ears, with burns being the most common of all the injuries.

“The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that in the most severe eye injury cases, firework accidents can rupture the globe of the eye, cause chemical and thermal burns, corneal abrasions and retinal detachment — all of which can cause permanent eye damage and vision loss,” the release reads. “Fireworks-related eye injuries can combine blunt force trauma, heat burns and chemical exposure.”

The organization said it supports a ban on fireworks for all except licensed operators during public displays.

“We are thrilled to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary. We urge all Americans to celebrate safely by avoiding consumer fireworks,” said Amy Pulles, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness Ohio. “Accidents happen even during firework displays conducted by licensed professionals, so please use caution when attending those as well.”

For those who decide to use fireworks during their celebrations this year, the National Safety Council has the following safety tips:

• “Never allow young children to handle fireworks

• Older children should use them only under close adult supervision

• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol

• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear

• Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands

• Never light them indoors

• Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material

• Never point or throw fireworks at another person

• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting

• Never ignite devices in a container

• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks

• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding

• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire

• Never use illegal fireworks”

Unless prohibited by local laws, Ohioans can discharge legal fireworks from 4 to 11 p.m. on July 3, 4 and 5, as well as the weekends before and after.

For more information on firework rules in Ohio, click here.

Interested in finding a Fourth of July fireworks show near you? Check out our list here.