Myles Turner's Collegiate Career: From Texas Longhorn to NBA Prospect
Myles Christian Turner, born on March 24, 1996, is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA. Before his successful NBA career, Turner spent a single, impactful season with the Texas Longhorns, solidifying his status as a top prospect. Standing tall at 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m), Turner primarily plays the center position, a role he honed during his high school and college years.
High School Stardom at Trinity High School
Prior to his time at Texas, Myles Turner established himself as a dominant force at Trinity High School. In his junior year, after fully recovering from an earlier setback, Turner showcased his multifaceted skills, averaging an impressive 15.7 points, 12.87 rebounds, and 8.64 blocks per game. His outstanding performance was instrumental in leading Trinity to a 17-13 record, marking their first appearance in the state playoffs in a decade and only the ninth time in the school's history since its establishment in 1968.
Entering his senior year, Turner's exceptional athleticism, ball-handling skills, shooting prowess, and natural shot-blocking ability garnered nationwide attention. He quickly became a highly sought-after recruit, drawing interest from numerous college basketball programs.
A Highly Touted Recruit
As his senior year concluded, Myles Turner remained one of the most coveted uncommitted recruits in the nation. He earned a five-star prospect rating from various scouting services, including Rivals.com, and was highly regarded by numerous college basketball analysts. He was often considered the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2014 class. These rankings reflected the widespread recognition of his potential and the impact he was expected to make at the collegiate level.
Choosing the Texas Longhorns
After carefully considering his options, Myles Turner ultimately chose to play college basketball for the University of Texas Longhorns. This decision was highly anticipated, with many analysts closely following his recruitment process.
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Impactful Freshman Season at Texas
Turner declared for the NBA draft after one season at Texas.
NBA Draft and Early Career with the Indiana Pacers
Myles Turner's impressive college performance paved the way for his entry into the NBA. He was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 11th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft, marking the beginning of his professional career.
His rookie season wasn't without its challenges. He missed 21 games between November 13 and December 28 due to a fracture in his left thumb, requiring surgery. However, upon his return, Turner quickly demonstrated his potential.
On January 22, 2016, he scored a then career-high 31 points in a 122-110 loss to the Golden State Warriors. His consistent performance earned him the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award for February, during which he ranked among the top East first-year players in scoring (13.4 ppg), rebounding (6.6 rpg), and minutes played (29.8 mpg). On March 24, he recorded 24 points and a career-high 16 rebounds in a 92-84 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Turner's contributions helped the Pacers secure a playoff berth as the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, where they faced the Toronto Raptors in the first round, ultimately losing the series 4-3.
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A Decade with the Pacers
Myles Turner spent ten seasons with the Pacers, becoming a cornerstone of the team. His time with the Pacers culminated in reaching the 2025 NBA Finals in his final year with the team.
Trade to the Milwaukee Bucks
After a decade with the Indiana Pacers, Turner was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks.
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