Thornton hoping to impress scouts at Merlion Cup

SINGAPORE — When the Merlion Cup tournament tips off today at the Singapore Sports Hub’s OCBC Arena, American basketballer Alford Thornton will be making sure he is firing on all cylinders for his team, Mighty Sports.

Thornton, one of the big-name players who will compete in the six-team tournament, is on a mission to play well and impress a top National Basketball Association (NBA) side before the start of its new season on Oct 25.

The 2.03m tall power forward — who was on the roster of NBA sides Los Angeles Clippers (2007-2010), Washington Wizards (2010-2011) and Golden State Warriors (2011) —told TODAY that he is already on the radar of a few teams after good performances at the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) league since January last year.

In his time at PBA side NLEX Road Warriors (2015-16), Thornton averaged a staggering 36.1 points and 12.5 rebounds per game, and also put in a 69-point performance against the San Miguel Beermen in April — the most number of points in the PBA in two decades.

Last month, he also helped his new Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League (PBCL) team Mighty Sports win the William Jones Cup, an international FIBA Asia tournament.

“It is very important for me to just to come out and play well in the Merlion Cup, try to lead the guys, and also get wins at the same time. Our goal is to win the tournament,” Thornton, who was the 14th overall pick at the 2007 NBA Draft, told TODAY. “At the end of the day, yes, I would love to be back in the United States, and get another chance to be in the NBA.”

The 32-year-old added: “I think I still can play at that level. We’ll see. I’ve been talking to a couple of teams that compete in the NBA, but nothing too serious at the moment. I also got a few referrals, so I am just waiting if anything comes out. At the meantime, I just play to my best.

“It may be so (that age is against me), but I think I am talented enough, and experienced enough to play with anybody, at the ‘young age’ of 32. It has to be the right team, and the right opportunity.”

A main reason that made Thornton believe he can go for a second NBA stint is down to him being finally freed from his injury woes. Thornton was plagued by a problematic right knee in his four-year NBA career. After surgery three years ago, the Georgia native said he is now slowly regaining his best form.

“It’s tough, it’s extremely tough to be bogged down by injuries when I was on an upward trajectory in my time at the NBA. You just have to find a way to fight through this, know that everything happens for a reason, and believe in a higher power,” he said. “Playing in the NBA was one of the best times in my life, and I won’t exchange it for anything in the world.”

Thornton’s Mighty Sports outfit will open their Merlion Cup campaign with a tough clash against two-time Korean Basketball League champions Seoul Samsung Thunders today.

They will be looking to make full use of their one-hour training session this morning ahead of the match, after they could not find a suitable court to train on yesterday. The team turned up at the basketball court at Marine Parade Community Centre, which has a cement flooring, and left disappointed.

Professional basketball teams usually prefer training and playing on indoor hardwood courts.

“Unfortunately, this was the court they got us. We didn’t expect it to be open-court, and on cement,” said Mighty Sports head coach Charles Tiu. “I don’t think our guys will be able to practise here. We are obviously looking for an indoor court, and at least a rubberised flooring.

“I’m disappointed, to be honest, because we wanted to work on some things today to be able to prepare for the Thunders. We only got one hour of training on an indoor court tomorrow, so we will make the most of it.”

MERLION CUP FIXTURES TODAY

(All matches at OCBC Arena, Singapore Sports Hub)

Kinmeng Kaoliang Liquor vs Singapore Slingers, 6.30pm

Seoul Samsung Thunders vs Mighty Sports, 8.30pm