UCI’s Thornton Hired as Coach in New League

Bob Thornton, who played basketball at UC Irvine and the NBA and was an assistant coach at Cal State Fullerton and Chapman, has been named coach of the National Basketball Development League’s team in Huntsville, Ala.

Thornton averaged 8.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in four seasons at Irvine, after which he was selected by the New York Knicks in the fourth round of the 1984 NBA draft. He played for the Knicks, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Utah and Washington for a total of nine seasons. He also played three seasons in Italy.

After one season as an assistant at Chapman (1997-98) and one at Fullerton (1998-99), he spent one season as assistant for the Yakima Sun Kings of the CBA. He was head coach of the CBA’s Quad City Thunder last season.

The NBDL will begin its inaugural season in November with teams in eight Southeastern cities and a 56-game schedule. The league is intended to enable players to develop their games in a league affiliated with the NBA.

* The search for a men’s coach at Orange Coast has been reopened because of a lack of applicants, Athletic Director Fred Hokanson said. The full-time position is for a coach and physical education instructor.

Several qualified candidates were interviewed, Hokanson said, but he didn’t have enough finalists. Information: (714) 432-5766.

GOLF

The UC Irvine men’s golf team will compete in the NCAA West Regional in Corvallis, Ore., May 17-19. The Anteaters received an automatic berth when they clinched the Big West Conference title May 1.

Irvine will be one of 27 teams competing in the regional. The top 10 teams from each of three regionals will advance to the NCAA championships, May 30-June 2 in Durham, N.C.

SOFTBALL

Robert Wiebort has resigned as coach at Trabuco Hills, he said Friday. Wiebort compiled a 30-53 record in three seasons, including 10-17 this season.