Former Ohio State star Evan Turner may have only played in the 2010-19 decade for one season, but the 6-6 swingman delivered enough of an impact to earn a selection to the Big Ten All-Decade First Team on Wednesday afternoon.
Draymond Green (Michigan State), Trey Burke (Michigan State), Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin), and Denzel Valentine (Michigan State) joined the Chicago native, from St. Joseph High School and 2010 Naismith National Player of the Year on the heralded first team.
The 10 years went by quickly, “Turner, who is now 31, told Rick Pizzo during an interview with the Big Ten Network. “We are concerned about the Team of All-Decade now. Often people talk to me about what I did back in college and I think about how I was just a kid basically. It’s like, where went the time?
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Turner went somewhat under the radar when he first landed in Ohio State when McDonald’s All-American Kosta Koufos and Ohio Mr. Basketball Jon Diebler both highlighted his 2007 recruiting class. Nevertheless, he started the debut season with 30 games and ended second on the roster in assists.
He broke through as a junior to lead the Big Ten in scoring (17.3 ppg) as OSU finished 22-11 overall and reached the NCAA Tournament. Nevertheless, his peak run will come the next year when he posted a 20-9-6 (point-rebound-assistant) all-around line to take the nation by storm.
Ohio State won that year’s Big Ten regular-season and tournament crowns behind “ET” including a Minnesota 30-point blowout during the Indianapolis title game. Many fans would recall his buzzer-beating shot in the quarterfinals for a long time to defeat rival Michigan.
They also made the NCAA Sweet 16 that season before Turner won National Player of the Year honors from essentially every major outlet. He was later selected No. 2 overall in the NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers and has been in the league ever since competing for six-different franchises.
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Turner averaged a career-best 19.4 points for Philadelphia during the 2013-14 campaign, has appeared in eight NBA playoffs, and is currently one of four Buckeyes in the NBA (Russell, Mike Conley, Keita Bates-Diop).
All three teams consisted of former Buckeyes as third-team spots were taken by Aaron Craft and D’Angelo Russell while big man Jared Sullinger landed on the second. Ohio State ‘s four players have earned them more than any other school on the list, including 16 total picks.
This past season, Ohio State reached No. 1 in the national rankings before ending with an overall record of 21-10. The plan, under head coach Chris Holtmann, is currently planning for its fourth season.
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