Texas Longhorns: Ex-Center Myles Turner Has Promising NBA Career Ahead
By Cole Mentzel
Former Texas Longhorns center Myles Turner is enjoying a productive rookie year with the Indiana Pacers and he’s destined to keep improving.
The Texas Longhorns hit the jackpot in 2015 when they attracted Myles Turner, No. 2 on the ESPN 100 list. One of the motivating factors in Turner’s decision revolved around his admiration for former Longhorn, Kevin Durant(according to ESPN).
During his lone season in Austin, Turner averaged 10.1 PPG and 6.5 APG. He managed to put up four double-doubles with some pretty insane stat lines against some pretty stiff competition…
Noteworthy Myles Turner Stats:
- SFUPA: 25 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists
- UTA: 18 points, 10 rebounds, 5 blocks, 2 assists
- TTU: 25 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks
- OU: 17 points, 10 rebounds, 6 blocks
Turner was a reliable paint presence all season long and created a difficult situation for opposing guards as he teamed with Cameron Ridley in the paint. It was obvious early on that the 6’11” center was on pace for a great career beyond Austin.
At the end of the season, he ultimately chose the route of professional play and was ranked 11th on Chad Ford’s Top 100. Turner was selected 11th overall by the Indiana Pacers and was brought into a situation where he would likely get quality minutes, especially with Roy Hibbert being traded over the summer.
His NBA career opened up with some early difficulties as he was sidelined with a broken thumb just eight games into the regular season. He went on to miss the next 22 games before returning on Dec. 30 against the Chicago Bulls.
It took Turner a couple of weeks to get back into the swing of things before he raised his level of play and since Jan. 15, he has finished with scoring totals in the double-digits in all but just two games. Throughout the process of his rise, Turner also dropped 31 points and eight rebounds on the Golden State Warriors and had a highlight-filled game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, including an incredible block on LeBron James.
Turner certainly looks to have the potential to be a star and he has already made an impact in Indiana. His ability to block shots while also scoring on a consistent basis (9.9 PPG), makes him unique talent. If he does go on to do just that, he would not be the first forward from Texas to have success.
LaMarcus Aldridge, drafted in 2006, rose to stardom with the Portland Trail Blazers and is considered one of the best power forwards in the league. His chase for a championship has now led him to a role with the San Antonio Spurs.
Kevin Durant has been a superstar since he was drafted in 2007. Widely known as one of the best players in the world, Durant already has a Finals appearance under his belt as well as multiple 50-point games. He has created a dynamic duo with Russell Westbrook in what will go down as one of the greatest pairings in the history of the NBA.
Tristan Thompson came into the league in 2011 with a rebuilding Cleveland Cavaliers team. Since then, he has grown and is thriving in the starting lineup with LeBron James, whose campaign to get Thompson a new, huge contract worked.
It’s obvious that the big men of Texas’ past are having tons of success in the NBA, as they currently play for three of the top four teams in the league. With Turner’s size and length, he is set to have a great career himself.
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Myles Turner is the latest former Texas Longhorn to enter the NBA, and with what we’ve seen from him so far, he has a bright future at one of the most important positions in the league.