Ex-Valley star looking for new team after leaving Va. Tech

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Wednesday, May 13, 2009 | 12:40 p.m.

AP PHOTO

Clemson’s Demontez Stitt (2) forces the turnover from Virginia Tech’s Hank Thorns (10) during the first half of an NCAA college men’s basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009, at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, S.C. Thorns, a Valley High grad, announced on Tuesday his intent to transfer from VT.

Hank Thorns had offers to play college football and basketball two years ago when he graduated from Valley High.

After picking basketball and a scholarship to Virginia Tech, where he played point guard the past two seasons, it appeared Thorns’ days on the gridiron were over.

But maybe not.

Thorns, who set a Virginia Tech record for assists as a freshman with 113 and started 15 games for the Hokies in two years, informed coaches Monday of his plans to transfer. And those plans may include playing football.

Thorns said he left Virginia Tech to find a basketball program where he could receive more playing time and be more of a scoring point guard. Then, he got a phone call from SMU to play wide receiver and point guard.

Thorns, who had 48 catches for 820 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior at Valley, said the thoughts of strapping on shoulder pads again is intriguing.

“Basketball is my first love and my first priority,” Thorns said. “But if the opportunity presents itself to allow me to play both, I would consider it. SMU said they want me to play slot receiver.”

Thorns, who is taking final exams this week at Virginia Tech, said he has been contacted by DePaul, Memphis, TCU, St. Mary’s, Colorado State, Cal-State Fullerton and Eastern Washington to play basketball. SMU is the lone school to show interest in him for football.

“Right now, I am liking them all because they are telling me the right thing,” Thorns said. “There are so many coaches contacting me and the people in my inner-circle.”

Valley football coach John Elwell, who was an assistant during Thorns’ tenure, said Thorns had limited interest to play college football coming out of high school because he let recruiters know of his intentions to focus on basketball.

“He has a knack for getting open and bringing the ball down in traffic,” Elwell said. “He made some of the most acrobatic catches in traffic. He was really just a phenomenal football player.”

On the basketball court at Virginia Tech, Thorns averaged 2.7 points in 18.9 minutes per game this winter. He expressed a desire this offseason to have a bigger role the next two years, but said coaches told him to expect similar playing time.

“When I was a freshman, the coaches asked me to sacrifice for the team. I’m all about team and winning, so that’s what I did,” Thorns said. “This past year, they asked me to do the same and did. I felt I needed a different role and to be more of a scorer.”

Leaving his teammates and the ACC — arguably college basketball’s best league — was a tough decision. But Thorns feels he has a chance to be a star, not just a role player.

“I have met a lot of wonderful people here,” he said. “Seven of us came in together as freshmen and planned on leaving together. That was the hardest thing, leaving the friendships.”

Thorns said he will decide on where he is transferring by the beginning of June. Wherever he winds up, Valley basketball coach Brian Farnsworth said, that program will receive a winner.

“His leadership skills are unmatched,” Farnsworth said. “Kids at Valley still talk about Hank and look up to him. He knows he is good enough to help a team win and be a full-time starter.”

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com.