Jeff Turner is a former professional basketball player who played for the Orlando Magic and the New Jersey Nets in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was born on March 14, 1962, in Brandon, Florida, and attended Brandon High School before playing college basketball at Vanderbilt University.
Turner was selected by the New Jersey Nets in the second round of the 1984 NBA draft but did not sign with the team. Instead, he played for the Tampa Bay Thrillers of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) for one season before signing with the Magic in 1989.
During his time with the Magic, Turner was known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions. He played both forward and center and was a reliable scorer and rebounder. He also had a reputation as a hard worker and a team player.
In his first season with the Magic, Turner played in all 82 games and averaged 9.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. He continued to be a consistent contributor for the team over the next several seasons, averaging between 7 and 10 points per game and pulling down an average of 4 to 6 rebounds per game.
Turner's best season with the Magic came in 1991-1992 when he averaged 10.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. He also shot a career-high 54.4% from the field that season.
After six seasons with the Magic, Turner was traded to the New Jersey Nets in 1995. He played one season with the Nets before retiring from the NBA in 1996.
In total, Turner played in 596 NBA games and averaged 7.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He also shot 50.3% from the field over the course of his career.
After retiring from basketball, Turner worked as a color commentator for the Magic's television broadcasts for several years. He also served as an assistant coach for the Vanderbilt men's basketball team from 2002 to 2006.
Overall, Jeff Turner had a solid NBA career and was a valuable contributor to the Orlando Magic during his time with the team. He was known for his hard work, versatility, and team-first mentality, and his contributions helped the Magic become a competitive team in the NBA during the early 1990s.
🏀