Will Turner: Basketball's Rising Star And Future Legend

will turner basketball

Will is short for William, but the notable basketball players with the name Turner are called Evan and Myles. Evan Turner is an American former basketball player and current coach. Myles Turner is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the NBA.

Characteristics Values
Full Name Evan Marcel Turner
Date of Birth 27 October 1988
Nationality American
Playing Position Guard/Forward
Teams Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Ohio State Buckeyes
Awards John R. Wooden Award National Player of the Year, Oscar Robertson Trophy finalist, NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors
Coaching Experience Assistant Coach for the Boston Celtics

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Myles Turner's career in the NBA

Myles Christian Turner is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born in Bedford, Texas, on March 24, 1996, Turner started playing basketball at the age of six.

Turner's talent was evident from a young age. As a 6-foot-2-inch (1.88 m) freshman, he led his team to 28 wins. During his senior year, he gained nationwide attention for his athleticism, ball handling, shooting ability, and natural shot-blocking ability for his height. He finished his high school career with impressive averages of 18.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 6.8 blocks per game.

After graduating from Trinity High School in Euless, Texas, Turner played one season of college basketball for the Texas Longhorns. He then declared for the 2015 NBA draft and was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 11th overall pick. Turner made his NBA debut on October 29, 2015.

Turner quickly made an impact in his rookie season with the Pacers. Despite missing 21 games due to surgery on his left thumb, he had several standout performances. On January 22, 2016, he scored a then career-high 31 points against the Golden State Warriors. On March 3, he was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month, and he helped the Pacers reach the playoffs as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference.

Over the years, Turner has continued to excel with the Pacers. He was elected team captain before the 2017-18 season and signed a four-year, $72 million contract extension in 2018. Turner has been known for his clutch and efficient 3-point shooting, particularly against the Milwaukee Bucks. On October 22, 2021, he recorded a career-high 40 points against the Washington Wizards. Turner's performance in the 2021-22 season was impacted by injuries, including a stress reaction in his left foot and a foot injury that ruled him out for the remainder of the season.

In January 2023, Turner signed a two-year, $58 million contract extension with the Pacers, demonstrating their continued commitment to the talented center.

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Indiana Pacers

Myles Christian Turner, born on March 24, 1996, in Bedford, Texas, is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Turner started playing basketball at age 6 and attended Central Junior High School. As a 6-foot-2-inch (1.88 m) freshman, he led his team to 28 wins. Throughout high school, he played AAU basketball for the Texas Select team during the springs and summers to further develop himself and gain recognition as a player.

Turner played one season for the Texas Longhorns before declaring for the 2015 NBA draft, where he was selected by the Pacers with the 11th overall pick. He missed 21 games between November 13 and December 28 of his rookie season after undergoing surgery to repair a fracture in his left thumb. On January 22, 2016, he scored a then career-high 31 points in a loss to the Golden State Warriors. Turner helped the Pacers reach the playoffs as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference with a 45–37 record, where they lost 4–3 to the Toronto Raptors in the first round. Despite this, he earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors.

In the Pacers' 2016 season opener, Turner recorded 30 points and a career-high-tying 16 rebounds in a 130–121 overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks. On March 3, 2016, he was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for February. Prior to the 2017-18 season, Turner was elected team captain. On October 15, 2018, Turner signed a four-year, $72 million contract extension with the Pacers.

Turner is known for his clutch and efficient 3-point shooting, especially against Milwaukee. For example, in a game against the Bucks, he notched 15 points, two rebounds, one assist, two blocks, and one steal across 33 minutes. In another game against Milwaukee, Turner totaled 19 points, five rebounds, two assists, four blocks, and one steal in 31 minutes. Turner has also had notable performances against other teams, such as recording eight blocks in a 121-107 win over the New York Knicks and scoring a season-high 28 points in a 106-98 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

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Texas Longhorns

The Texas Longhorns men's basketball team represents the University of Texas at Austin in the NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's basketball competition. The University of Texas began varsity intercollegiate basketball competition in 1906 under the direction of Scotland native Magnus Mainland, a graduate engineering student and lineman for the Texas football team. Mainland had been a nationally known basketball player as an undergraduate at Wheaton College (IL) before joining UT.

The Texas basketball program experienced substantial success during its early decades, achieving a winning percentage of .703 from 1912 to 1950, reaching two Final Fours and one Elite Eight during the first decade of the NCAA Tournament. The program declined somewhat from 1951 to 1988, recording a winning percentage of .522 and participating in the expanded Tournament only five times.

The Longhorns rose to prominence again under head coach Rick Barnes (1998–2015). During the 2014–15 season, the team signed top-ranked Dallas-area center Myles Turner, who played one season for the Longhorns before being drafted into the NBA. Turner, an Austin native, averaged 10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game during his freshman year at Texas, earning Big 12 Freshman of the Year honours. He was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 11th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft.

As of the end of the 2024–25 season, the Texas Longhorns have won 29 total conference championships in men's basketball and have made 39 total appearances in the NCAA Tournament, the ninth-most appearances of any program. The Longhorns rank 15th in total victories among all NCAA Division I college basketball programs and 23rd in all-time win percentage among programs with at least 60 years in Division I.

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2015 NBA draft

The 2015 NBA draft was held on June 25, 2015, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. It was nationally televised in the U.S. by ESPN. The Minnesota Timberwolves won the draft lottery, earning the first overall pick in the draft. This marked the first time in Timberwolves history that they would receive the first overall pick. The Los Angeles Lakers received the second overall pick, and the Philadelphia 76ers got the third pick.

The 2015 NBA draft was conducted under the eligibility rules established in the league's 2011 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with its players' union. The basic eligibility rules were that all drafted players must be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft and at least one year removed from their high school graduation. "International players" were defined as players who permanently resided outside the U.S. for three years before the draft, did not finish high school in the U.S., and never enrolled in a U.S. college or university. These players were automatically eligible if they were at least 22 years old during the calendar year of the draft.

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Clutch and efficient 3pt shooting

Myles Christian Turner is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the NBA. He is known for his clutch and efficient 3-point shooting, especially when playing against Milwaukee.

Turner's ability to make shots from beyond the arc is a significant weapon in the Pacers' arsenal. His accuracy from long range keeps the defence honest and helps create driving lanes for his teammates. Turner's 3-point prowess is built on a foundation of sound mechanics and a quick release, allowing him to get his shots off with minimal space and time.

One of the key factors in Turner's success is his ability to shoot off the catch. He is adept at quickly setting his feet and squaring his shoulders to the basket, enabling him to get his shot off in rhythm, even when closely guarded. This catch-and-shoot ability is particularly valuable in clutch situations, where a quick release can mean the difference between a made basket and a blocked shot.

Turner's efficiency as a 3-point shooter is also a result of his shot selection. He rarely forces up bad shots, instead patiently waiting for high-percentage looks. This disciplined approach ensures that he maintains a high shooting percentage and helps space the floor for his teammates.

Turner's clutch gene further elevates his 3-point shooting prowess. He has a knack for making big shots in pressure-packed moments, including several game-winners. This ability to remain calm and composed in high-stakes situations sets Turner apart as a truly elite shooter.

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