WPIAL Alum Q&A – Geno Thorpe

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, March 6, 2017 | 11:32 PM

Thorpe has been a prominent name in WPIAL athletics for quite some time, and Geno Thorpe has carried on the tradition by producing an impressive basketball resume. Thorpe, who excelled at both Shady Side Academy and Shaler, is now a top performer at the University of South Florida.

As a high-school freshman in 2009-10, Geno played in a star-studded lineup at Shady Side Academy. Along with future Division I athletes Michael Young and Reggie Mitchell, Thorpe helped guide the Indians to a 19-5 mark, including playoff victories against Bishop Canevin and Jeannette. The team fell in the Class AA semifinals, however, and was also defeated in the PIAA second round.

After the season, Thorpe returned to Shaler, where he made an immediate impact with the Titans in his sophomore campaign. Shaler compiled a mark of 22-2, which included the top seed in the Quad-A postseason. However, the Titans were upset by Butler in the quarterfinals, and did not have an opportunity at redemption in the state playoffs. Despite the early exit from the playoffs, Thorpe turned in a very impressive season, as he scored more than 17 points and 4 assists per game, and earned All-State Third-Team honors.

In 2011-12, the Titans made a deeper postseason run, as they finished 25-4, including playoff triumphs against McKeesport and Plum. Shaler was bounced in the WPIAL semifinals, though, losing to Central Catholic by just two points. In the PIAA playoffs, the Titans reached the quarterfinals for the first time in school history. That season, Thorpe cemented himself as one of the top players in the entire state, as he averaged 21.5 points per game, as well as shot 55 percent from the field. Consequently, he was named to the Pennsylvania Class Quad-A First-Team, as well as to the MSA Sports All-Netters.

Thorpe’s final prep season was difficult from a team perspective, as the Titans went only 8-14. Thorpe individually shined, though, as he netted more than 26 points per game, leading the WPIAL in scoring. For the second-consecutive year, he earned Quad-A First-Team and All-Netters honors.

Thorpe elected to continue his basketball career at Penn State University, choosing the Nittany Lions over offers from Pitt, Wisconsin, Seton Hall and others. As a true freshman in State College, Thorpe played a reserve role for the majority of his 32 games, averaging nearly 12 minutes per contest. While he scored just more than 3 points per game, he found his niche as a perimeter defender for the Nittany Lions, who finished 16-18.

As a sophomore, Thorpe became one of the team’s top performers, playing in all 34 games, including 17 starts. In that capacity, he averaged nearly 9 points and more than 1 steal per outing. Penn State improved its mark slightly, as the Nittany Lions compiled a record of 18-16.

Following the season, however, Thorpe transferred from Penn State, ultimately deciding to join USF. He was forced to sit out last season, but joined the Bulls this season, and quickly became their top scoring threat. He has appeared in 27 games, including 26 starts, and is the only player averaging in double-figures in the scoring column, with 14.8. He is also by far the team leader in assists per game at 4.6, and chips in with 3 rebounds per game. However, USF has a mark of just 7-22 as the Bulls enter the American Athletic Conference Tournament on Thursday, against UConn.

This past weekend, his younger sister, Gia Thorpe, helped Winchester Thurston captured the Girls WPIAL Class 1A Championship, as she tallied 16 points in the Bears 52-41 victory against Cornell.

Geno dedicated some time away from the hardwood to answer questions about his time at Penn State, why he choose USF when transferring, and who his toughest opponent was in high school.
 

Q: You have taken on a much larger scoring role with USF. How have you adjusted to that new role?

A: Yes, I have taken on the role and I’m still learning from this experience.

Q:What is your greatest attribute on the floor?

A: Keeping control of the pace of the game and trying to get teammates involved; scoring comes natural.

Q: How did you approach trying to improve while you redshirted last year?

A: Just trying to improve my game every day; working on my decision making and listening to my coaches on how I can improve.

Q: How would you evaluate your team’s play so far this season?

A: I would say that everybody on our team is giving it their all. They still love to compete, which is a good sign.

Q: How would you describe your two seasons at Penn State?

A: Penn State was a good experience for me, as well. I got to play in one of the best, if not the best conference, and got to play against a lot of current NBA players. So it was a good experience for me.

Q: Why did you choose USF as your destination when transferring?

A: Mostly because of coach Orlando Antigua and my former teammate, Roddy Peters, who had a big influence on me coming to USF.

Q: Was there much of an adjustment from relocating from Pennsylvania to Florida?

A: Huge adjustment – I had to pack bathing suits and leave my winter clothes behind.

Q: You were a part of a few very successful teams at Shaler. What was your fondest high-school memory?

A: I think my fondest moment playing at Shaler was just times playing basketball for Shaler High, just winning so many games and doing it with people I’ve been playing with since eighth grade when I was on the ninth grade team. I had some of the best times playing basketball at Shaler High.

Q: Who was the best individual you faced while playing in the WPIAL?

A: If I could say me I would, but I’d say Nolan Cressler from Plum High School. He was always a headache to deal with, but nothing my team couldn’t handle.

Q: What is your favorite song currently or all time?

A: I listen to a lot of Kodak Black and Young Thug.

Q: Are you big into using social media, and if so, which do you prefer?

A: I’m not big on social media, but I just got a new Instagram account @Geno2.0.

Q: Who is your celebrity dream date?

A: Amber Rose

Q: If you could give yourself advice as a high-school freshman, what would it be?

A: Stay the course! And stay in the gym, it will pay off.

Q: What is a hidden talent you possess or a little-known fact about you?

A: I’m a good public speaker and I like speaking in front of big crowds.