Isaiah Thorne – Junior – Kinesiology
When did you start playing basketball? How did you get into it?
IT: I think I got started around the fourth or fifth grade. I remember bugging my mom for like a week or two to let me join a local youth league. I saw some of my friends playing in it and I thought it would be cool if we all played on the same team together, which it was!
Finally, she said, “Okay Isaiah but I am not going to be driving you all around San Antonio.” Turns out she lied about that one because we made multiple trips across America for tournaments.
How did you end up at Washburn?
IT: After leaving the Air Force I was looking for a school and my high school basketball coaches’ father-in-law is the head golf coach [Jeff Stromgren] here at Washburn… the rest is history.
What has been the most exciting moment in your career at Washburn?
IT: Playing Emporia here last year was crazy. It was a good game, and the audience was into it and had us going crazy.
How do you typically prepare before a game?
IT: I just like to get myself ready by listening to music and just relaxing myself. Nothing to worry about in the game, just go out and hoop.
You’re studying kinesiology. What do you plan on doing with your career?
IT: So, I really want to be a college coach some day and after I retire from coaching, I would like to become an athletic director at that same university. I have wanted to be a coach since middle school and being an athletic director was a choice I made while I was here trying to figure out what to major in.
Hidden talents?
IT: I have been told I can sing a little. I like to sing ANYTHING! When I go back home the family and I stay up on the weekends and just sing until our hearts are content. Country, R&B, Gospel are the main genres I stay in.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
IT: I would like to go to Paris with my future wife. I mean come on. Going to the Eiffel Tower and just taking in the whole vibe of Paris would be AMAZING.
Favorite quote?
IT: Never let unhappy people take away your happiness. I really got that from my parents because they always told me that nobody runs my life so I cannot let someone take away my happiness because that will mean they run my life.
