10-08-2008, 09:10 PM
PIKEVILLE, KY. â One of the top players in the history of the University of Kentucky menâs basketball program has signed to play for the East Kentucky Miners during the 2008-09 season. East Kentucky Miners Coach Kevin Keathley has announced the signing of 6-2 guard Wayne Turner. Turner, who won two national championships with Kentucky, holds the NCAA record for most games played in a four-year career (151). The Boston native ranks ahead of former Duke standout Christian Laettner (148) for the most games played record. Turner is Kentuckyâs all-time leader in steals. He is fourth in all-time assists for the Wildcats.
The former Wildcat is anxious to hit the hardwood and play in a Miners uniform.
âThis is definitely a good opportunity to get back in Kentucky and play professionally,â said Turner. âKentucky is home for me. Iâll always be a Wildcat â and now Iâm a Miner.â
Turner brings another winning attitude to the Miners organization.
"This is the biggest signing for us as an organization to date," Keathley commented. "When you think of Wayne Turner, the first thing that comes to mind is â winner. He is a proven leader on the basketball court and is a true lead guard in every sense of the word."
The Miners organization has remained committed to landing a Kentucky player.
"Since the first day I arrived here, I have wanted to sign a player who everyone would recognize from their time at the University of Kentucky," Keathley confided. "But, the circumstances were never right. However, with Wayne, we have someone who not only played at UK, but was a star that delivered wins in a big way."
As a senior at Kentucky â during the 1998-1999 season â Turner averaged 10.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He came to Kentucky as a highly-acclaimed McDonaldâs All-American. Turner scored 1,170 points in his four-year career for the Wildcats. He is 37th on Kentucky's all-time scoring list.
At Kentucky, Turner played for both Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith. His storied career included three straight appearances in the NCAA championship game. Turner was a key member of 30-plus win Kentucky teams in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
Turner developed into a leader early on in his Kentucky career. Heâs been a leader at every stop since leaving the Lexington, Ky., school as well.
âI want to do what I do best,â Turner commented following his signing. âI want to be a leader and bring the energy as a Miner.â
Following college, Turner played in the NBA for the Boston Celtics in 2000. It was a homecoming for Turner, who starred at Boston's Beaver Country Day in high school.
"I coached Wayne's teammate, Anthony Epps, for two seasons and we won a championship together and came close to capturing a second title," Keathley added. "I'm hoping we can have the same type of success together here with the Miners. Wayneâs signing will help a lot in bringing more experience to next yearâs team. He's played well overseas and getting him here is big for us as a franchise. Wayne is the type of player that will fit well into our offensive scheme."
Keathley is is eager to give Turner a formal welcome to the loyal, ever growing East Kentucky Miners fanbase.
"I look forward to getting Wayne down to Pikeville and introducing him to the East Kentucky fans,â Keathley commented. âMore importantly, I'm excited about getting the opportunity to work with Wayne in bringing a championship to the basketball fans of Eastern Kentucky."
Turner played for the Indiana Pacers as part of a summer league later in 2000. The Kentucky basketball legend played for the Harlan Globetrotters in 2001. That same year, Turner played for a team representing the New York Knicks in a pro summer league held in Boston.
Turner has played overseas in Turkey, Italy, Australia, Belgium and New Zealand. He averaged 12.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 55.8-percent from the field for the New Zealand Breakers of the NBL during the 2007-08 season.
Turner is no stranger to the CBA. He played in the CBA for the Dakota Wizards during the 2004-05 season, averaging 10.2 points, 4.6 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game.
Turner is poised to become the first former University of Kentucky Wildcat to play for the East Kentucky Miners.
The former Wildcat is anxious to hit the hardwood and play in a Miners uniform.
âThis is definitely a good opportunity to get back in Kentucky and play professionally,â said Turner. âKentucky is home for me. Iâll always be a Wildcat â and now Iâm a Miner.â
Turner brings another winning attitude to the Miners organization.
"This is the biggest signing for us as an organization to date," Keathley commented. "When you think of Wayne Turner, the first thing that comes to mind is â winner. He is a proven leader on the basketball court and is a true lead guard in every sense of the word."
The Miners organization has remained committed to landing a Kentucky player.
"Since the first day I arrived here, I have wanted to sign a player who everyone would recognize from their time at the University of Kentucky," Keathley confided. "But, the circumstances were never right. However, with Wayne, we have someone who not only played at UK, but was a star that delivered wins in a big way."
As a senior at Kentucky â during the 1998-1999 season â Turner averaged 10.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He came to Kentucky as a highly-acclaimed McDonaldâs All-American. Turner scored 1,170 points in his four-year career for the Wildcats. He is 37th on Kentucky's all-time scoring list.
At Kentucky, Turner played for both Rick Pitino and Tubby Smith. His storied career included three straight appearances in the NCAA championship game. Turner was a key member of 30-plus win Kentucky teams in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
Turner developed into a leader early on in his Kentucky career. Heâs been a leader at every stop since leaving the Lexington, Ky., school as well.
âI want to do what I do best,â Turner commented following his signing. âI want to be a leader and bring the energy as a Miner.â
Following college, Turner played in the NBA for the Boston Celtics in 2000. It was a homecoming for Turner, who starred at Boston's Beaver Country Day in high school.
"I coached Wayne's teammate, Anthony Epps, for two seasons and we won a championship together and came close to capturing a second title," Keathley added. "I'm hoping we can have the same type of success together here with the Miners. Wayneâs signing will help a lot in bringing more experience to next yearâs team. He's played well overseas and getting him here is big for us as a franchise. Wayne is the type of player that will fit well into our offensive scheme."
Keathley is is eager to give Turner a formal welcome to the loyal, ever growing East Kentucky Miners fanbase.
"I look forward to getting Wayne down to Pikeville and introducing him to the East Kentucky fans,â Keathley commented. âMore importantly, I'm excited about getting the opportunity to work with Wayne in bringing a championship to the basketball fans of Eastern Kentucky."
Turner played for the Indiana Pacers as part of a summer league later in 2000. The Kentucky basketball legend played for the Harlan Globetrotters in 2001. That same year, Turner played for a team representing the New York Knicks in a pro summer league held in Boston.
Turner has played overseas in Turkey, Italy, Australia, Belgium and New Zealand. He averaged 12.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 55.8-percent from the field for the New Zealand Breakers of the NBL during the 2007-08 season.
Turner is no stranger to the CBA. He played in the CBA for the Dakota Wizards during the 2004-05 season, averaging 10.2 points, 4.6 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game.
Turner is poised to become the first former University of Kentucky Wildcat to play for the East Kentucky Miners.
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