He last served as the lead assistant coach for the Perth Wildcats in the Australian NBL.

Thornton played for five NBA teams (New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards) and averaged 3.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 283 total games.

He also played three seasons in the Italian A-1 league with Rome, Siena and Pavia.

He later held coaching positions with the CBA's Yakima Sun Kings and Quad City Thunder, the NBDL's Huntsville Flight,[1] and the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves.

[3] In January 2021, Thornton moved to Australia to become lead assistant coach of the Perth Wildcats.