Myles Turner is one of the hottest names on the AAU circuit this spring.
The 6-foot-11 center Euless, TX, has the kind of length and athleticism that makes scouts drool, and he just so happens to have a face-up game and the ability to knock down a jump shot in pick-and-pop actions. That’s why he’s currently sitting at No. 78 in Rivals top 100 for the Class of 2014.
He’s also something of an unknown: part of the reason that Turner is emerging this spring is that he never had a chance to last spring, as he was recovering from a broken ankle. The big boys have taken notice.
“The whole Big 12 Conference is coming at me the hardest right now,” Turner told NBCSports.com on Saturday afternoon from the Under Armour Invitational in Texas, and while he said that he “can’t really single out any schools right now”, he doesn’t need to. The offers are pouring in, and Turner has all spring and summer to figure out what he’s looking for in a school.
“I’m going to cut down to 10 or 15 schools at the end of the summer,” Turner said. “Anywhere I can develop and get an education is where I’m going.”
Turner is serious about the education part as well. He wants to major in psychology, saying that he’s interested in studying the mind and that he wants to one day be a counselor. If you’re a coach and you’re recruiting Turner, you better study up on the programs that your school’s psychology department offers.
Turner specifically mentioned both UCLA and Stanford, saying that he knew both had good psychology departments and that it played a role in his decision to make an unofficial visit to UCLA next weekend.
It may be a while before Turner’s career path heads down that road, however. If he continues to develop, he’s got a future on the hardwood that is just as bright as his potential in the classroom. He’s a dominating shot-blocking presence on the defensive end of the floor and is more mobile and coordinated than many seven-footers at this age. He is already a threat from the perimeter, but Turner’s goal this summer is to take the next step in his development offensively.
“I need to have more force in the paint,” he said. “Imposing my will on the block.”
You can find Rob on twitter @RobDauster.