Myles Turner video chats with Coach Vogel after being selected by the @Pacers in the #NBADraft! pic.twitter.com/DeG2maHcp2
— NBA (@NBA) June 26, 2015
The Pacers season ended over two months ago, absent from postseason play for the first time in five years. As a result of just missing out, the Pacers were in the lottery. Last time they were — in 2010 — worked out pretty well when they used the 10th pick on now two-time All-Star Paul George.
At No. 11 on Thursday, the Pacers selected Myles Turner from the University of Texas. The 19-year-old 7-footer played just one year in college and averaged 10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game.
[Myles Turner post-draft press conference]
“I wasn’t supposed to be here, man,” Turner said. “I wasn’t supposed to be here. I’ve been through a lot, and I’m happy to be part of the Indiana organization now, and I’m going to give it my all. I’m going to give everything to the city of Indianapolis and just the organization itself. Words just can’t describe how excited and elated I am right now.”
[VIDEO: Pacers coach Frank Vogel on drafting Myles Turner]
As the Pacers work the phones trying to trade Roy Hibbert, they drafted what looks to be his replacement. Turner was the 2015 Big 12 Freshman of the Year at Texas and a Third-Team All-League selection.
The Pacers’ official draft cap for 2015.
“He’s got a really good stroke and he does a good job when he gets the ball into the low-post,” ESPN’s Jay Bilas said on the draft broadcast. “He’s got a turnaround jumper over that right shoulder that is really effective and he’s an excellent shot-blocker.”
In a pre-draft interview on Monday, Bilas expanded on his concerns for Turner:
“I’m a big fan of his skill level and his length. I think he’s a good athlete. There are questions about how he changes ends and moves laterally and runs, and I’ve got those concerns. One of the concerns I have with Turner is his best performances were against the worst teams that Texas played, and I’ve done all the numbers on it. His numbers drop precipitously when you put him against teams that were over .500 in BCS conferences and in non‑BCS conference teams.”
Turner’s other numbers from the Draft Combine: 6′ 11.5″, 239 pounds, 7-foot-4 wingspan, 9.3 percent body fat.
Willie Cauley-Stein, the UK big man the Pacers were interested in yet concerned with, was taken earlier than expected, sixth by the Sacramento Kings. Later at nine, Charlotte by no surprise snatched Wisconsin’s Frank Kaminsky.
[Q&A with Pacers Director of Scouting Ryan Carr — on prep work, workouts, and draft night]
Indiana brought in 36 players to Bankers Life Fieldhouse over the last month for workouts and to visit with them for a day.
In the second round, the Pacers drafted 6-2 combo guard Joseph Young out of Oregon.
Another great family moment. The dream is now a reality @Original_Turner ! Congrats! pic.twitter.com/sAUVWIdxx2
— ASM SPORTS (@ASM_SPORTS) June 26, 2015
Top Ten Picks:
- Minnesota — Karl Anthony-Towns, Kentucky
- Los Angeles (Lakers) — D’Angelo Russell, Ohio State
- Philadelphia — Jahill Okafor, Duke
- New York — Kristaps Porzingis, Spain
- Orlando — Mario Hezonja, Croatia
- Sacramento — Willie Cauley-Stein, Kentucky
- Denver — Emmanuel Mudiay, China
- Detroit — Stanley Johnson, Arizona
- Charlotte — Frank Kaminsky, Wisconsin
- Miami — Justise Winslow, Duke
Welcome to the family youngin @Original_Turner! #PacerNation
— Paul George (@Yg_Trece) June 26, 2015
Im always down with a Texas boy joining the squad..
— C.J. Miles (@masfresco) June 26, 2015