Advertisement
football Edit

Coast to coast interest in Turner

Over the course of two months, Evan Turner went from a Midwest super target to one of the most recruited players in the country. Some of the nation's top programs have jumped into the race for his services. The five-star wing is checking out some of his top targets in June and should have a shorter list before the busy July period.
Turner, the ultimate team guy, is a very good player in a structured system but defers any attention on himself to the rest of his Illinois Wolves teammates.
Advertisement
"Overall, it's been a good spring for me and my team. We're all having fun and it's good having this time with all of my friends," Turner said.
"I know how hard they work. They pick me up sometimes. Whenever I am playing bad, they are the first ones to come in and pick me up. I just love those guys. That's how we win. We think of a team."
Don't let his humbleness fool you. Turner had a great spring and reminded onlookers of why so many schools are getting into the mix with him this year.
Turner is a smooth operator on the floor, handling the ball without any problems, driving to the bucket from the wing with a few deliberate dribbles and shoots it well enough to keep defenses on honest. Turner will show a flash here and there of Shaun Livingston, a former Illinois prep star now with the Los Angeles Clippers.
"I've seen him a couple of times in high school and he was nice," Turner said. "Some people say I'm built like him and some people say I handle like him."
Turner, a former full time point guard, could very well be a point guard in college, according to a number of coaches recruiting him. Turner said he doesn't care where plays on the floor.
"They are recruiting me from one to a three," Turner said. "Whatever can help the team is what I'll play. When I was growing up, I loved playing the point guard spot. I loved driving and kicking out to the open man. It's all fun that why. The ball is in your hands and it makes you become a better leader and that is what I want to be in college."
Perhaps that is why his list grows at a daily clip. Perhaps that is why Ohio State, Wake Forest, Indiana and Virginia have tendered a free ride after the spring. Perhaps that is why Duke and Florida are waiting until July to decided if they will offer, too. Illinois, Iowa, Bradley, DePaul, Baylor, USC, Miami and Southern Illinois have long had an offer waiting for him.
Turner recently took an unofficial visit to Wake Forest after the Tournament of Champions. He is spending the weekend at Illinois for the Illini's team camp.
After the camp period, Turner said he will formulate a list with his parents and coaches.
"I've been too busy with the spring basketball to come up with any kind of manageable list," Turner said. "I'm having fun but haven't had a chance to think about it. Afterwards, we'll sit down, talk about it and then come up with a list. We'll do that way before July."
"That's four years of my life so I want it to be fun," Turner said.
Advertisement