Hoops recruit Steven Thornton

Utah State is taking steps to fill potential holes in next year’s lineup before those holes even open.

Steven Thornton, a 2009 graduate of Golden Valley High School in Valencia, California, is in Cache Valley this weekend on a recruiting visit and is being eyed as a potential replacement down the road for Pooh Williams, a source close to the Utah State basketball team told the Deseret News.

Thornton, who was listed as a 6-foot-3 wing player as a senior last season, has spent the current year at Stoneridge Prep Academy in Simi Valley, and is a full qualifier meaning he is academically eligible to enroll at a Division I school.

He is a high-flying scorer who tossed in 41 points in a Foothill Conference playoff game last year and went on to win the Battle of the Valley skills competition dunk contest following the 2008-09 season.

The source said Utah State is not ready to offer a scholarship yet, but is considering Thornton.

He was named a second-team selection to the All CIF-Southern Section Division IIIA squad.