Just who is Ohio State's Evan Turner? - 5/20/2010

Today and tomorrow, Sixers.com is in Chicago at the NBA Draft Combine Media availabilities to hear from some of the nation's top prospects - John Wall, Demarcus Cousins, Derrick Favors among others - about their thoughts on the draft and possibly being selected second overall in the upcoming draft.

Today: Just who is Ohio State's Evan Turner?

From what we found out during his media availability session this afternoon at the Sheraton, the Associated Press National Player of the Year revealed to the assembled press corps that he has been making 550 shots a day (he estimates it takes him about 800 shots to make that many). He thinks his shot needs to be more consistent and that he doesn’t think he’ll “ever be the guy who is going to live or die by the three.” He wants to get his teammates involved, put pressure on defenses.

He is a fan of John Wall. He misses his friends at college, but doesn’t miss the classes. He referred to Brandon Roy as “Mr. Roy” and doesn’t want to disrespect him through comparisons.

He wants to win an NBA Championship. He wants to “hopefully” turn into a Hall of Fame player.

His philosophy is to make the best out of a situation and he’s really happy to be where he is right now.

And here are some thoughts as they relate to the possibility of being selected with the number two overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft on June 24, 2010.

Q: Any thoughts on Philadelphia as a potential destination?

A: It’s a good city. I think they’re on the rise, they have some great, young talent. Just get picked that early and be in that type of situation, that would be really good. I can’t complain about that.

Q: While you were in high school, did you ever think that you would someday be the first or second pick in the draft?

A: This whole thing right now is a little crazy. It hasn’t really hit me yet. Sometimes I have to pinch myself a little bit. Everything has been moving so fast that I can’t really slow down right now to have a thought about it. I’m really fortunate and glad and I’m in this position.

Q: Philly is looking at you as a two-guard; would it be difficult sliding into that position?

A: I’m just a basketball player. I don’t think it matters at all, so I’ll come out there ready to play basketball, compete and I’ll be fine. … I don’t feel like I have a natural position.

Q: But where do you see yourself in the pros?

A: Probably just a wing. Sometimes I may have to handle the ball, sometimes I may have to be on the wing coming off screens. I can’t really say what my natural position is to tell you the truth, I just want to play.

Q: Talk about your knowledge of the Sixers personnel.

A: They have [Andre] Iguodala, Jrue Holiday, Thaddeus Young, Louis Williams, Samuel Dalembert. I think I could fit on the wing sometimes and if they need me to I could bring the ball up. They have a lot of good, young players and I think I could fit in. They played hard last year and I would just try to come in, fit in and compete.

Q: Everybody wants to be the number one pick, but have you thought about possibly ending up in Philadelphia?

A: Yeah definitely. It’s a great city. I think Iguodala is a great player. I think Jrue Holiday is a great player. Thaddeus Young, all of them are great players. If I go there, I think I’m in a win-win situation.