NBA Draft Blog Interview with Myles Turner

There were a lot of expectations heaped upon Myles Turner when he made the decision to stay close to home and attend the University of Texas, playing for coach Rick Barnes. He was coming off a senior year in high school where ESPN has named him the number two prospect in the 2014 class, and he was a McDonald’s All-American and a member of the United States gold medal-winning U18 team. A year or two earlier, not many in the basketball world were aware of him.

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A player’s freshman season in college rarely reaches the ideals that are set for them, but it’s often the ideals that are not really in tune with reality. On the surface, Turner’s numbers as a freshman wouldn’t turn your head, but when you put them in the perspective of where he was just a few years ago, it’s hard not to see his freshman year as a great year of growth for him as player.

The seven-foot Turner averaged 10 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, as well as 2.6 blocks, placing him in the top twenty in the nation in that category. Turner only played about 22 minutes per game, and played more than 25 minutes just ten times the whole season.

Turner may have spent just one season in Austin, but as he prepares for the next step in his basketball career, he is appreciative for the development that year brought him.

“I grew immensely during my freshman season; growth as both a player and a person,” said Turner. “I have a lot of respect for Coach Barnes and my other coaches, and I was able to build a great bond with my teammates.”

Unlike many of the top freshmen, Turner did not become a big name on the recruiting scene until late in high school, and his rise over the past two years is not something you see often. Still, Turner has enjoyed how it all has played out.

“I’ve enjoyed every second of these past couple of years,” said Turner. “To go from unranked and unnoticed to the number two player in the class, I was able to see all of my hard work paying off, and my family has enjoyed it all as well.”

While it’s usually expected for the top freshmen to spend only a year in college, Turner wasn’t so sure about leaving Texas when the season ended. “It was a tough decision for me, especially since I had a great time at Texas,” explained Turner. “I really didn’t have the best season, and I felt uneasy leaving with unfinished business. But, I realized the time for me to strike was now, and I made the right decision.”

With the decision behind him, Turner’s focus is being the best player he can be at the NBA level. He has a good understanding already why teams have a big interest in drafting him. “I think my length and youth is what jumps out at teams right away,” said Turner. “I can also step out and knock down shots, as well as defend the rim and guard multiple positions.”

Turner has been training in Las Vegas as he prepares for NBA team workouts. Young and still growing into his game, Turner has taken a wider approach to his training. “I’m really working to improve all aspects of my game right now” Turner explained. “I want to get stronger and build up my body, as well as becoming more consistent with my post play.”

The NBA Pre-Draft Combine was in Chicago last month, and Turner was excited to be a part of it, even if he didn’t participate in the drills or five-on-five play. “It was a good chance to learn more about the business side of the NBA,” said Turner. “Having the chance to build relationships with General Managers and the Player’s Association was a great opportunity.”

While playing the game at the NBA level will be a big change to deal with, Turner knows that there is more that he will need to adjust to once he’s there. “The biggest challenge will be getting acclimated to the NBA life,” said Turner. “I played just 34 games in college, and I’ll need to get used to the length of the NBA schedule.”

As I spoke to Turner, he mentioned his family a few times, and they have been a great help to him through the process. “My family has been really supportive, and they really help me keep my head on straight,” said Turner. “My mom is a big help with the more mental side of things, while my dad helps me with the physical part of it all. Plus, my sister is really supportive of me.”

Turner understands that there is a lot of competition for draft spots, but he hopes to leave teams with a good idea of who he is and what he can bring to them. “I’m a competitor, and I know what I am capable of, on and off the court,” said Turner. “I have the mentality to be one of the best, and the willingness to work for it.”

There’s no denying that Turner’s skill is impressive for his age, and combined with his size, it’s easy to see why teams will be willing to take a chance on him. When you add to it a great understanding of the mental part of the game, and the desire to work as hard as he needs to succeed, Turner could have a long, storied career by the time he is done playing.

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