Myles Turner

Lore & Background

Turner was born in Bedford, Texas, to parents David Turner and Mary Turner, and started playing basketball at age 6. He attended Central Junior High School, and as a freshman, he led his team to 28 wins. Throughout high school, he played AAU basketball for the Texas Select team. Between his sophomore and junior year, he broke his ankle but recovered and gained 30 pounds through a two-a-day weight training regimen. In his junior year, he averaged 15.7 points, 12.87 rebounds and 8.64 blocks per game, leading Trinity to a 17–13 record and reaching the state playoffs for the first time in 10 years. He accumulated six triple-doubles. In his senior year, he averaged 18.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 6.8 blocks per game, leading the Trojans to a 24–7 record. He was rated a five-star prospect and considered the No. 2 center in the nation behind Jahlil Okafor. On April 30, 2014, he committed to the University of Texas. He took part in the 2014 McDonald's All-American Boys Game and represented the United States in the 2014 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship, winning a gold medal. As a freshman at Texas, he averaged 10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game, earning 2015 Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors. He declared for the NBA draft on March 30, 2015. Turner was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 11th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft. He missed 21 games of his rookie season after surgery to repair a fracture in his left thumb. On January 22, 2016, he scored a then career-high 31 points. On March 3, he was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for February. He earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors. In the 2016–17 season, he recorded 30 points and a career-high-tying 16 rebounds in the season opener. Prior to the 2017–18 season, he was elected team captain. On October 15, 2018, he signed a four-year, $72 million contract extension. On March 5, 2019, he had a then career-high seven blocks. On February 25, 2020, he recorded a career-high eight blocks. He finished the 2020–21 season with a league-leading 3.4 blocks per game. On October 22, 2021, he recorded a career-high 40 points. On January 20, 2023, he signed a two-year, $43 million extension. On February 23, 2023, he tied a career-high 40 points. On March 22, 2024, he became the all-time blocks leader in Pacers franchise history with his 1,246th block. In his final season with the

In Their Own Story

The arena is humming at half-time, but Turner isn't in the tunnel. He's at the free-throw line on the far end, running his fingers over the rim, feeling the pebbled texture the way a pianist checks a key before the concert. A young practice-squad guard shoots a layup from the left block. Turner doesn't even turn his head. The ball is in the air, arcing, and then—silence. A flat, meaty *thwack* against the backboard, the ball bouncing out to a waiting hand. The guard mouths something. Turner just shrugs, wipes his palms on his shorts, and walks back toward the bench. The crowd noise hasn't changed. That's the point. In Indiana, the block isn't the moment. The block is the *default.*

Reader's Guide

Myles Turner is a center known for his shot-blocking ability, having led the league in blocks twice. He spent 10 seasons with the Indiana Pacers, becoming the franchise's all-time blocks leader. He signed with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2025.

Did You Know?

• Turner led the league in blocks per game in the 2020–21 season with 3.4.
• He became the Pacers' all-time blocks leader on March 22, 2024.
• Turner was a five-star recruit and the No. 2 center in the nation behind Jahlil Okafor.
• He earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors in 2016.