Former Ohio State F Evan Turner retires, headed into coaching

One of the best players in Ohio State basketball history is hanging up the sneakers and moving into the world of coaching.

Ohio State basketball has Evan Turner’s number hanging in the rafters. The former small forward had a great career in Columbus. From 2007-2010, he got better every year. He ended his Ohio State career winning the Naismith Player of the Year.

In that National Player of the Year winning season he averaged 20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1.7 steals. He shot 52% from the field and 36% from three. He played so well that he ended up being the number two overall pick in the NBA Draft in 2010.

Turner has played 10 years in the NBA. He’s decided that’s enough time. He is about to finalize a deal to join the coaching staff of the Boston Celtics according to Shams Charania.

Turner ends his NBA career after playing for five different teams. Now instead of developing his own skills, he will be helping Brad Stevens develop the skills of others. I’m interested to see how he is able to get along with younger players. He hasn’t always been the best teammate.

In Indiana, he was traded for in the middle of the season. He then proceeded to get into a fist-fight with Lance Stephenson and crater the team chemistry and the Pacers fell to the Heat again in the playoffs. That was a long time ago though. That was a younger, more immature Turner.

Now a more mature Turner will be looking to teach players to learn from his mistakes. Under the direction of Stevens, Turner should be able to succeed in his new endeavor.