Myles Turner

Myles Christian Turner is an accomplished professional basketball player with the Indiana Pacers for the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was born on March 24, 1996, and ushered into the world of basketball from a very tender age of six. Born to Anthony Davis and Mary Turner in Bedford, Texas, Myles spent his childhood learning and honing basketball skills for the years to come.

Turner kick-started his academic journey in Central Junior High School, and even as a freshman, his towering height and incredible basketball skills began to shine. Standing 6-foot-2-inch tall, the young Turner led his school team to an impressive 28 wins. This experience was a stepping stone towards a high school basketball journey that would transform his life.

In the springs and summers, Turner stepped off the school court and onto the competitive AAU basketball court. Playing for the Texas Select team, he got exposure to the competitiveness of the sport and got the chance to improve his skills. He participated in renowned camps and tournaments like the LeBron camp, Adidas Nations, Elite 24 invitational, Nike Big Man Skills Academy, and the NBPA Top 100 camp.

But Turner’s journey was not without hiccups. In the spring game of AAU play, the then 6’7″ Turner broke his ankle. This injury threw him off his game, hurting his recruitment chances. However, his resilient spirit shone through as he recovered and put on 30 pounds through two-a-day weight training regimen to evolve as a more robust player.

Turner made a strong comeback in his junior year, averaging 15.7 points, 8.64 blocks, and 12.87 rebounds per game. His solid performance helped Trinity reach the state playoffs for the first time in a decade, marking only the ninth instance in its history since 1968. He finished his high school career with an impressive average of 18.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 6.8 blocks per game, sealing his reputation as a formidable player.

The national spotlight soon found Turner. Countless colleges reached out, but Turner chose the University of Texas in April 2014. As a freshman at Texas, Turner averaged 10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game, earning 2015 Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors. Emboldened by his confident performances, Turner declared for the NBA Draft in March 2015.

The Indiana Pacers noticed Turner’s talent, selecting him as the 11th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. He made his debut in 2015 but soon faced a hurdle again with a fracture in his left thumb. But, he bounced back in a style, and his impressive performances earned him the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month title for February 2016.

Over the years, Turner’s performances witnessed a consistent rise. His career-high scores went from 31 points in 2016 to 40 points in 2021. He pulled off stunning feats like recording career-high eight blocks multiple times and securing the league-leading position with 3.4 blocks per game in the 2021 season.

Unfortunately, a stress reaction in his left foot in February 2022 derailed his progress. He was sidelined for significant parts of the 2022 season and eventually ruled out for the remainder. Despite playing only 42 games, he averaged 12.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game, shooting 50.9 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from the three-point line.

Turner’s talent transcends the basketball court. He enjoys building Lego sets and practicing yoga, underlining his creative and spiritual sides. A practicing Jehovah’s Witness, Turner stands tall, not just in height but in the strength of his character and skill. He personifies resilience and determination, propelling him forward in the face of adversity. Regardless of injuries or setbacks, Myles Turner continues to be a paragon of perseverance and excellence in basketball.