Ohio State's last national player of the year in men's basketball is set to be recognized among the university's all-time best players.
Evan Turner, who blossomed in three seasons under Thad Matta before becoming the No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, will have his No. 21 jersey unveiled from the rafters next month, the school announced Saturday.
SAVE THE DATE@OhioStateHoops will honor @thekidet & unveil banner Feb. 16 vs TTUN
https://t.co/lqUKl5yBnc pic.twitter.com/cKouPhcXbv
— Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) January 30, 2016
The banner is set to be unveiled at halftime of Ohio State's game against Michigan Feb. 16, according to a press release. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
“That’s unbelievable for our program because the one thing here, it’s very difficult to get your jersey hung in the rafters," Matta said Saturday. "As I reflect on Evan and just when he started here and what he’s done from Day 1 to where he is today and what he meant to Ohio State basketball, I could not be happier.
"I will smile every time I look up there and see that thing hanging there.”
Turner averaged 20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game during the 2009-10 season when he was named the Associated Press Player of the Year, won the Oscar Robertson Trophy, Naismith Award and Wooden Award. He was a first team All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year.
Turner will be the fifth Buckeye to have his jersey hang from the rafters in the Schottenstein Center, joining Jerry Lucas (11), Jimmy Jackson (22), John Havlicek (5) and Gary Bradds (35).
Evan Turner will become fifth jersey to hang from the rafters at Value City Arena. pic.twitter.com/CrdlN8Jpf8
— Tim Shoemaker (@TimShoemaker) January 30, 2016
Turner is the first player in the Matta era to have his jersey hung.
“I think it’s funny because the new practice facility, the hallway, seeing the guys that we’ve coached every day when you walk by there, it definitely makes you feel good, makes me feel good about what we’ve built here," Matta said. "Like I said, to have one our guys up there it’s a great thing.”
Fitting Turner will be honored against Michigan, the team he did this to in the 2010 Big Ten Tournament:
