By Patrick Hayes

Prior to his senior season at Michigan State, the notion that Austin Thornton had a chance at a pro career seemed like a longshot. But as a senior, Thornton showed significant and remarkable improvement, becoming Michigan State’s best 3-point shooter and a solid perimeter defender. His production was certainly enough to garner him interest from pro teams overseas. But Diamond Leung of MLive reports that Thornton wasn’t interested, and with good reason:

Agents told Thornton they could help him secure a contract to play overseas, but since his final game in March against Louisville, the 6-foot-5 guard has only touched a basketball twice.

“That goes to show you where my mind is,” Thornton said. “My time is now devoted to what I can do to help my son and spend time with him. And if he wants to play catch, we’re playing catch. If he wants to play baseball, we’re playing baseball. If he wants to kick a soccer ball around, that’s what we’re doing.”

Hard to argue with that.