Tyler Thornton

Tyler Damascus Thornton (born April 5, 1992) is an American basketball coach and former professional player who is an assistant coach for the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team. He was one of the top-rated high school point guards in the class of 2010. Thornton played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils.

High school Thornton attended Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., where he averaged 14.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.1 steals per game as a senior while maintaining a GPA over 3.3. He also lettered four times, twice named team MVP. He holds the school record for career wins. Thornton was named MVP of the Gonzaga D.C. Classic and the Hoopball Classic. Thornton made the all-tournament teams at the Iolani Classic and Alhambra Invitational. In his senior year he was named to two all-conference teams and the Gonzaga Coaches award in 2008. Named D.C. Sports Fan Freshman of the Year and Gonzaga Mr. Assist award in his first season on varsity. He also played AAU basketball on the D.C. Assault with his Duke Blue Devil teammate Josh Hairston.

College career Thornton committed to Duke University on September 13, 2008, over Georgetown, North Carolina State, Texas and Virginia.

Coaching career Thornton joined the Howard Bison men's basketball team as an assistant coach in 2019.

On May 30, 2025, it was announced that Thornton would join the coaching staff at Duke.