CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Myles Turner might not realize it quite yet, but the next few months he’s going to be a marked man among college coaches and his fellow players.
That’s because Turner -- currently rated as the No. 78 in Rivals’ 2014 national class -- is rapidly ascending up the national rankings as phrases like, “top-ten prospect” and “best overall prospect in attendance” were thrown around by some when his name was brought up at the NBPA Top 100 Camp on the campus of the University of Virginia is Charlottesville, Virginia.
At 6-11, the Texas-native possesses a unique skill level for a player his height. Turner can block shots and play on the interior using his advanced footwork, but he’s also just as comfortable stepping out and taking jumpers beyond the three-point line.
There’s a gigantic difference between “can make a three-pointer” and “will make a three-pointer” and Turner’s shooting ability puts him closer to the later than the former among those distinctions.
“My only weakness is my strength overall, but other than that, I don’t feel I have many weaknesses,” Turner told NBC Sports. “Strengths: I feel like I can shoot it and my footwork (is a strength) because I’m able to get around most guys.”
The shooting ability makes Turner unique -- he even classifies himself as more of a “stretch four” than a center -- but it’s his natural ease in communicating with coaches, teammates -- and even the media -- that makes him potentially special. Myles may have been the hot name at the Top 100 Camp, but you wouldn’t know it by talking to him and getting his perspective on things.
“It’s the best competition in the United States and it’s great. There’s nothing more I can ask for,” Turner said of the Top 100 Camp. “I’m going to do whatever my coach tells me to do. I’m not a selfish player -- never have been -- and I’m always going to be a team player. I really don’t have an ego towards this.”
This type of attitude coupled with Turner’s ability and upside has made him an attractive prospect among college coaches as most of the Big 12 is hot on his heels and the national recruiting is beginning to turn up as well.
“I’ll cut my list to 10 schools by the end of next month and the end of the (July) recruiting period,” Turner said of his recruitment. “Distance is not a factor -- it can be Oregon, St. John’s, anything -- but distance isn’t really a factor for me. Anywhere I feel I can really be developed and go to the NBA and have that great family structure and try to win a championship; that’s where my heart is going to be.”
Recently, Turner has a new offer and has some potential unofficial visits in mind for the upcoming future as he continues to sort through his recruitment.
“The newest offer has been Arizona; I’d like to take an unofficial there this summer,” Turner said. “Anytime I can get a break I’d like to do that. I think I want to get back up to Oklahoma State University as well.”
Whenever you hear the phrase “national recruiting” -- almost inevitably -- Kentucky will be brought up and Turner said that the Wildcats have shown preliminary interest recently as well.
“My Dad just talked to Coach Calipari last week,” Turner said. “They’re going to step up their recruiting process and we’re looking to see this July coming up.”
But for now, recruiting can wait, as Turner just soaks in the camp circuit and prepares to be seen by the college coaches in July.
“I really get to see where I stand with everybody (playing events like this),” Turner said. “I’ve played in a couple of tournaments and not really seen the best competition at times, but now I can see everybody and it just shows me where I am.”
Where Myles Turner is now and where Myles Turner will be by the end of July will be one of the most fascinating recruiting subplots during next month’s July live evaluation period.
