very journey has a beginning and an “1t was an amazing time? he said, “espe- Harlem Globetrotters. Recently, Turner
Eend. Former Wildcat basketball great cially the 1998 season. 1 played a much has played for the Bluegrass Stallions in
Wayne Turner is nearing the completion of bigger role in the success of the team that the ABA.
a journey that began in 1996. Turner is year. As the point guard, 1 felt like it was “Through basketball, 1 have had an op-
working toward earning his degree in com- my team and it was my responsibility to be portunity to travel a lot? Turner said. “1
munity communications and leadership de- a leader. At the time, it was hard to realize loved Australia? Turner said. “1 was there
velopment in the UK College of that we were doing something special; we for about nine months in Townsville,
Agriculture. Finishing his degree is some- just focused on playing and getting better. Qrieensland. The fans were very similar to
thing Turner always planned to do when Looking back now, 1 realize how special it here. They all knew who 1 was and really
his days of playing professional basketball really was and what we accomplished? supported the team. 1 really enjoyed my
were over. He is working hard in the class- When Turner thinks back to his playing time there?
room and is expected to graduate this fall. days, it’s not just the championships he re- Turner said one day he might explore
“Finishing my degree is like the Hnal members, he recalls being part of a special the possibility of coaching. Having played
piece ofthe puzzle? Turner said. (And it group of players and the friendships he for a variety of coaches as well as playing
was really important to me that 1Hnish my made. point guard has been good training.
degree here at the University of Kentucky. 1 “Some of the best times were just hang- “1 think 1 would be a players? coach? he
never wanted to do it anywhere else. Lex- ing out with the guys? Turner said. “We said. ‘As a point guard, you are basically
ington has always felt like a second home to really didn’t know each other coming in, the coach on the floor. Hopefully, 1 could
me, so it feels right to come back? but we just seemed to click. We felt more use that experience. Plus, 1 played for some
Being back on campus now as a nontra- like brothers than just teammates. We great coaches, two of them at Kentucky. 1
ditional student is obviously different for were very close off the court and 1 think feel like 1 learned things from all of them?
Turner. There isn’t the hectic schedule of that deHnitely helped us on the court. We For now, Turner is focusing on becom-
basketball practice and games, so all of his were able to trust each other because we ing the Hrst member of his family to grad-
energy can be focused on accomplishing a knew each other so well? uate from college and on his
goal he set for himself when he Hrst arrived After his college career, Turner played eight-year-old daughter Velvelina.
on campus as a McDonald’s High School briefly in the NBA for his hometown “1’m looking forward to walking across
All-American from Beaver Country Day in Boston Celtics. He made stops overseas the stage and Hnally getting my degree? he
Chestnut Hill, Mass. playing in Turkey, 1taly, Australia, Belgium added, “my grandmother would be
“1t is so much different this time around? and New Zealand. He also played for the proud?
he said. “Of course, 1 am different. 1’m
more focused and everything is about get- nm
ting my degree — it’s just a totally different     W ' Q
mentality? gf   . LA _` All _
One thing that hasn’t changed is Turner’s °‘   A   `    
status as one ofthe all-time great Wildcats   Q} 1 j · V ,_
and recognition from fans. `   T =\ ‘ V _ X V
‘1t’s really fumry, but my classmates actu- _   " .   " `   i
ally recognize me. 1 didn’t think anyone l   ¥—       P-  
wpuld really remember after all this time.    J p T A   aw Q  l   . _
1ts been fun to hear my current classmates F, .· ‘\\ T ‘ Q   ·-   ‘ g   ,   4 · _;
say, (you are still my favorite point guard? _  , ’     f V ·*` J a ""   . ` lt*
. . » . ·—.,  —» ·,   H ` __ .
and things like that, he said. \  _; 5 _ 4    
No Wildcat fan is likely to forget Turner’s  ·’ ` ‘ M \ xl  
playing career at UK. He was part of a span ` ____ `_ ‘· V K , ‘, r " J} T   R ·
that saw Kentucky appear in three consecu- ` ‘ ‘  . g L 1* r
tive NCAA national championship games, *` °   T ~’;#’ . “ *
winning titles in 1996 under then coach   v \ M .:     44;;*; _ V ‘ ....... V,,,,,_   2 V ________ N
Rick Pitino, and in 1998 under then coach K _   *   » —    wg  , T B 1
Tubby Smith. Turner earned All-SEC 11011-       (»`_     .`v,   if E N i        "J    
ors, was SEC Tournament MVP, and was Y   `_   ‘.`-` l``` · Y?   ’    T      __V»r lr    
named the NCAA Regional Most Out-  I- T V n “`'‘ l iz "     T    ` K ‘ .  * 5.       
standing Player following Kentucky?s epic bi i ` ` ````rf T — ‘ I- l`>''` if V  Q}-; ‘    _ , 
comeback win over Duke in the regional   A __ as _ j _ 1 M I .     Q
Hnal in 1998. He became the all-time leader ` "   ----   _i4_ ,·‘ _;_-,5 L; __ __;j_ 1 . ?.;,a1; ir; 1 E   _ " i   A .     `     UZ  
in men’s NCAA Division 1 games played in `ji V   T :·"7“l[i'{   ` ` `'`‘   _  V-lj! _  . ‘       ;   §
a four-year career at the time. He is Ken- mg  _ ·· .¤g 1, _ _ I ·  TL T ·· '   Fil v_   Af A __   V ._ _ _,_~_\,   §
tucky’s all-time leader in steals and fourth  1 .,21,; Q _ ~;_»i -1.’· j     N —_ M      V Qi   »l»' I Q    i  
all-time in assists. Turner was also on the   ·*  -- :1   W · ’  if "Y ~··—- ? -— °‘   "i’ ··  J A T `·*‘ ° " il ’ T * Z`-} T H   T E
COVCI Ofspgyts jggmtmmj twice, Turner played in three NCAA National Championship games, winning titles in
1996 and 1998.
www.uka|umni.net 19 ((