Florida State University Athletics
Seminoles' Thorpe Earns FSU Degree
8/4/2023 4:06:00 PM | Men's Basketball
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Max Thorpe, a junior member of the Seminole basketball team, joined an incredible network of students on August 4, 2023 as he accomplished one of his lifelong dreams of graduating from Florida State University.
As one of over 2,900 students who were conferred their degrees at the Donald L. Tucker Center as a member of the Florida State class of 2023, Thorpe was part of a select group of graduates who earned their undergraduate degrees in just three years. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Sport Management and will pursue a Master's Degree in Athletic Coaching beginning in September.
For Thorpe, the decision to earn his bachelor's degree and return to play his one remaining year of eligibility with his teammates was an easy one.
Graduating and coming back made a lot of sense," said Thorpe, who has developed into a team leader during his career. "I still have eligibility left, I wanted to get my master's from Florida State, and I wasn't ready to leave my teammates just yet."
Thorpe was a member of Florida State's 2021 NCAA Tournament team which advanced to the Sweet 16. In advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2021, he helped with the Seminoles' preparation as they defeated UNC Greensboro and Colorado while in the NCAA's COVID-19 mandated 'bubble' in Indianapolis. With Thorpe on the team, the Seminoles have defeated six nationally ranked teams, including No. 5 Duke during the 2022 season and No. 7 Virginia during the 2021 season.
He's been as valuable as any member of the Seminoles' famed 'Green Team' during his career, and enters the 2024 season as one of the players handpicked by the Florida State coaching staff to provide leadership to a roster that welcomes six new players.
Thorpe is respected equally by the Seminoles' coaching staff as he is by his teammates.
"It's been a joy to watch Max's growth as a young man and a student-athlete," said Associate Head Coach Stan Jones. "He came here in the difficult time of the pandemic when it was hard for him to find his voice in our locker room. To now to listen to him in team meetings, and in practice, as he adds a high value to the fabric of our team is what you love to see as a coach."
His teammate and classmate Isaac Spainhour also has high praise for the Seminoles' guard. Both Thorpe and Spainhour arrived at Florida State as freshmen in the fall of 2020.
"Max is one of my best friends and is someone that I can always rely on when I need something," said Spainhour. "He has developed into a great leader during his career. His personality and knowledge of the game are a big reason for his development. Max is a huge part of our team."
For Thorpe, the bar for his academic achievement has been set at an incredibly high level for as long as he could bounce a basketball.
"Ever since I can remember, my parents have always been on top of my sister and me about school," said Thorpe. "It wasn't really an option; we were expected to get straight A's all through middle school and in high school."
He graduated from St. Petersburg Collegiate High School in 2020 with a cumulative grade point average of 4.16 and as a member of the National Honor Society. He's been named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll in each of his three years at Florida State, and was recently named to the NABC Academic Honors Court. His twin sister, Rachel, who was born 25 minutes after him in 2001, is an honors student and is set to graduate from UCF in the spring of 2024.
While his academic success has helped him become a college graduate, Thorpe sees his role as a teammate and a big brother as being tantamount to his overall success at Florida State.
"I have learned how to take care of my brothers, and to be a selfless leader," said Thorpe. "Being on a basketball team means you go through a lot with your brothers, and the relationships you make will really last a lifetime. I have matured so much being a part of this team. My teammates and coaches have shown me how to become a well-respected man."
Thorpe has always wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, David, is a noted NBA Player Development Specialist and Life Coach, but knows that it's been his mom, Christine, who has kept their family going.
"My mom has held me accountable, while loving me and pushing me to be the best I could be as a person," said Thorpe.
Jones, who is one of the most respected college basketball coaches in the country, knows Thorpe has put himself on the right path for success after college and whenever he finishes his playing career.
"Max has been working on his success plan since before FSU, while at FSU, and has developed a vision for what his life will look like after FSU. Getting his undergrad degree in three years is a testament to his character, and we look forward to seeing his role on our team grow even greater as he attacks grad school."
Thorpe sees life as well as he sees a teammate breaking to the basket in the open court who is positioned for a slam dunk – with his head up and eyes wide open.
He also knows that Florida State University and the lessons he has learned from Head Coach Leonard Hamilton and his staff along with his Seminole teammates will stay with him for a lifetime.
"Being a part of this amazing basketball program for these past three years have been incredible," said Thorpe. "The countless memories I have made are priceless, and I wouldn't trade it for the world."
As one of over 2,900 students who were conferred their degrees at the Donald L. Tucker Center as a member of the Florida State class of 2023, Thorpe was part of a select group of graduates who earned their undergraduate degrees in just three years. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Sport Management and will pursue a Master's Degree in Athletic Coaching beginning in September.
For Thorpe, the decision to earn his bachelor's degree and return to play his one remaining year of eligibility with his teammates was an easy one.
Graduating and coming back made a lot of sense," said Thorpe, who has developed into a team leader during his career. "I still have eligibility left, I wanted to get my master's from Florida State, and I wasn't ready to leave my teammates just yet."
Thorpe was a member of Florida State's 2021 NCAA Tournament team which advanced to the Sweet 16. In advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2021, he helped with the Seminoles' preparation as they defeated UNC Greensboro and Colorado while in the NCAA's COVID-19 mandated 'bubble' in Indianapolis. With Thorpe on the team, the Seminoles have defeated six nationally ranked teams, including No. 5 Duke during the 2022 season and No. 7 Virginia during the 2021 season.
He's been as valuable as any member of the Seminoles' famed 'Green Team' during his career, and enters the 2024 season as one of the players handpicked by the Florida State coaching staff to provide leadership to a roster that welcomes six new players.
Thorpe is respected equally by the Seminoles' coaching staff as he is by his teammates.
"It's been a joy to watch Max's growth as a young man and a student-athlete," said Associate Head Coach Stan Jones. "He came here in the difficult time of the pandemic when it was hard for him to find his voice in our locker room. To now to listen to him in team meetings, and in practice, as he adds a high value to the fabric of our team is what you love to see as a coach."
His teammate and classmate Isaac Spainhour also has high praise for the Seminoles' guard. Both Thorpe and Spainhour arrived at Florida State as freshmen in the fall of 2020.
"Max is one of my best friends and is someone that I can always rely on when I need something," said Spainhour. "He has developed into a great leader during his career. His personality and knowledge of the game are a big reason for his development. Max is a huge part of our team."
For Thorpe, the bar for his academic achievement has been set at an incredibly high level for as long as he could bounce a basketball.
"Ever since I can remember, my parents have always been on top of my sister and me about school," said Thorpe. "It wasn't really an option; we were expected to get straight A's all through middle school and in high school."
He graduated from St. Petersburg Collegiate High School in 2020 with a cumulative grade point average of 4.16 and as a member of the National Honor Society. He's been named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll in each of his three years at Florida State, and was recently named to the NABC Academic Honors Court. His twin sister, Rachel, who was born 25 minutes after him in 2001, is an honors student and is set to graduate from UCF in the spring of 2024.
While his academic success has helped him become a college graduate, Thorpe sees his role as a teammate and a big brother as being tantamount to his overall success at Florida State.
"I have learned how to take care of my brothers, and to be a selfless leader," said Thorpe. "Being on a basketball team means you go through a lot with your brothers, and the relationships you make will really last a lifetime. I have matured so much being a part of this team. My teammates and coaches have shown me how to become a well-respected man."
Thorpe has always wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, David, is a noted NBA Player Development Specialist and Life Coach, but knows that it's been his mom, Christine, who has kept their family going.
"My mom has held me accountable, while loving me and pushing me to be the best I could be as a person," said Thorpe.
Jones, who is one of the most respected college basketball coaches in the country, knows Thorpe has put himself on the right path for success after college and whenever he finishes his playing career.
"Max has been working on his success plan since before FSU, while at FSU, and has developed a vision for what his life will look like after FSU. Getting his undergrad degree in three years is a testament to his character, and we look forward to seeing his role on our team grow even greater as he attacks grad school."
Thorpe sees life as well as he sees a teammate breaking to the basket in the open court who is positioned for a slam dunk – with his head up and eyes wide open.
He also knows that Florida State University and the lessons he has learned from Head Coach Leonard Hamilton and his staff along with his Seminole teammates will stay with him for a lifetime.
"Being a part of this amazing basketball program for these past three years have been incredible," said Thorpe. "The countless memories I have made are priceless, and I wouldn't trade it for the world."
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