Brian Bowen
February 13, 2021
Ray Turner
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 24/01/90
- Place of Birth: Houston, Texas (USA)
- Position: F/C
- Height (CM): 204
- Weight (KG): 104
- Junior Assoc:
- College: Texas A&M (2009–2013)
- NBL DEBUT: 19/01/19
- AGE AT DEBUT: 29
- LAST NBL GAME: 3/03/19
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 29
- NBL History: Sydney 2019
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Ray Turner was born in Houston, Texas, and grew up in the south-central area of South Park without a father and with a sick mother.
As a adolescent, Turner missed a lot of school and was often getting into trouble, but basketball provided a positive outlet.
He attended South Park BallCats, a basketball academy run by Turner’s guardian and father figure Keith Perry.
Turner played college basketball for Texas A&M University before playing professionally in Cyprus, Australia, Japan and Hungary.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Ray Turner made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 29 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.
In 2017/18, Turner saw limited opportunities as an injury replacement player for Brisbane.
After playing briefly with Brisbane as an injury replacement during 2017/18, Ray Turner returned to the state league with Bendigo, where his rebounding and interior play caught Sydney’s attention. With the Kings sitting near the top of the ladder but looking for additional support behind Andrew Bogut, Sydney signed Turner (via Bendigo) on January 15 for the remainder of the season. Turner was not formally signed as an injury-replacement player by Sydney; he was added as a third import for the remainder of the season, replacing development player Deng Acuoth on the 12-man active roster and providing additional rebounding and size behind Bogut.
He made his Sydney debut four days later against Adelaide at Qudos Bank Arena, finishing with 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 block in 7:29 as the 36ers defeated the Kings 119-99. Randle (23 points), Wear (14 points and 4 assists) and Newley (11 points and 6 rebounds) led Sydney.
Turner (4.5 points across 10 games) appeared in each of Sydney’s final eight regular-season games and both semifinals and did not miss a game after joining the club through injury. Gaze said his priorities were what Turner could provide defensively and on the boards, adding, “He’s a big body.”
One of his strongest regular-season games came in Brisbane on February 1, where Turner (9 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 block) made four of six shots in 13:47 as Sydney defeated the Bullets 95-93. Two days later against Brisbane at Qudos Bank Arena, Turner (6 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) helped the Kings win 107-91 and secure their first playoff appearance since 2013, with Randle (26 points and 2 steals), Lisch (21 points, 3 assists, and 5 steals) and Bogut (13 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists) leading Sydney.
Sydney finished third at 18-10, with Randle (17.9 points and 4.2 assists), Lisch (14.1 points, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 steals), Bogut (11.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.7 blocks) and Newley (10.8 points and 4.6 rebounds) forming the core of the rotation, while Bogut was named NBL MVP and Best Defensive Player.
Melbourne opened the semifinals with a 95-73 victory, where Turner (0 points and 1 rebound) played 3:03 off the bench. Newley (17 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists), Randle (13 points) and Lisch (13 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals) led Sydney, while Ware (22 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists) and Kennedy (20 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals) led United.
Turner’s best game of the season came in game two at Qudos Bank Arena, where Turner (12 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal) made five of seven shots in only 8:50 and finished one point behind Sydney’s leading scorers Lisch (13 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) and Adnam (13 points). Bogut (10 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks) added a double-double, but Ware (30 points and 5 rebounds) and Goulding (23 points) led Melbourne to a 90-76 victory and completed the semifinal sweep. Turner’s short-term Kings deal ended following the series and he returned to Bendigo for the inaugural 2019 NBL1 season.
Ray Turner played one season in the NBL. He averaged 4.5 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in 10 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 29 | Sydney | 18-10 (3) | 10 | 80 | 45 | 21 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 21 | 20 | 32 | 63% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 5 | 6 | 83% | 65% | 63% | 12 | Totals | 10 | 80 | 45 | 21 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 21 | 20 | 32 | 62.5% | 0 | 1 | 0.0% | 5 | 6 | 83.3% | 65% | 63% | 12 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 29 | Sydney | 18-10 (3) | 10 | 8.0 | 4.5 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 3.2 | 63% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 0.5 | 0.6 | 83% | 65% | 63% | 12 | Total | 10 | 8.0 | 4.5 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 3.2 | 62.5% | 0.1 | 0.0% | 0.1 | 83.3% | 65% | 63% | 12 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 12 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- Rockhampton (2014, 2016), Perth (2015), Willetton (2017), Bendigo (2018–2019, 2021, 2026), Mandurah (2022–2023)
Turner joined Rockhampton for the 2014 QBL season, averaging 20.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 blocks across 19 games while shooting 64.1 percent from the field. Rockhampton finished as minor premiers with a 14–2 record, swept Mackay 2–0 in the grand final series, and Turner delivered 31 points and 15 rebounds to earn game two MVP honours in the championship-clinching win while also being named to the QBL All-League Team.
He joined Perth for the 2015 SBL season and produced a dominant campaign, averaging a league-leading 31.2 points along with 16.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.8 blocks across 26 games. His season included a 32-point, 30-rebound opener against Stirling, a 58-point, 26-rebound double-overtime performance against Willetton, and a 50-point outing against Cockburn, earning three Player of the Week awards, the SBL MVP award, and the league scoring title despite Perth finishing 10–16.
A return to Rockhampton followed in the 2016 QBL season, where he averaged 22.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.7 blocks across 11 games. He opened with 24 points and 14 rebounds against Sunshine Coast, added a 31-point performance against Gladstone, and closed with 28 points and 14 rebounds against Ipswich as Rockhampton finished 9–8 and missed the playoffs.
Turner moved to Willetton for the 2017 SBL season, averaging 25.2 points, 12.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 28 games. His debut included 32 points and 20 rebounds against Geraldton, while a 43-point, 24-rebound double-overtime performance against Cockburn highlighted his year, earning Round 8 Player of the Week honours as Willetton finished as minor premiers with a 20–6 record and advanced to the semi-finals after a 2–1 quarter-final series win over Perry Lakes.
He joined Bendigo for the 2018 SEABL season and averaged 22.6 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists across 22 games, earning All-SEABL First Team honours. Key performances included 25 points and 25 rebounds against Mount Gambier, a 39-point outing in an overtime win over Albury Wodonga, and 37 points with 11 rebounds in an elimination final win over the BA Centre of Excellence before a semi-final loss to Kilsyth despite 27 points and nine rebounds.
Remaining with Bendigo for the 2019 NBL1 season, he averaged 23.4 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.3 blocks across 23 games and earned NBL1 All-Star Five selection. Bendigo progressed to the grand final after a preliminary final win over Frankston, where he contributed 16 points and 13 rebounds, before scoring 24 points in the 99–90 grand final loss to Nunawading.
He re-signed with Bendigo for the 2020 NBL1 season before the season was cancelled.
A return to Bendigo followed in the 2021 NBL1 South season, averaging 24.2 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals across 15 games.
Turner joined Mandurah for the 2022 NBL1 West season, averaging 15.0 points and 8.6 rebounds across 22 games.
He remained with Mandurah for the 2023 NBL1 West season, increasing his production to 19.8 points and 10.6 rebounds across 21 games.
He later returned to Bendigo for the 2026 NBL1 South season, continuing his state league career with the Braves.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Uruguay - Atlético Biguá (2013), Atlético Olimpia (2013) | Cyprus - Apollon Limassol (2013–2014) | Germany - Phoenix Hagen (2014) | New Zealand - Wellington Saints (2015) | Japan - Akita Northern Happinets (2015–2016) | Hungary - Falco KC Szombathely (2016–2017)
Turner joined Atlético Biguá for the 2013 Liga Uruguaya de Básquetbol pre-season, playing his first season in Uruguay.
Ray Turner joined Atlético Olimpia later in 2013 in Uruguay, continuing in Liga Uruguaya de Básquetbol pre-season play.
Ray Turner joined Apollon Limassol for the 2013–2014 Cypriot Division A season, averaging 7.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists across seven games.
Ray Turner joined Phoenix Hagen for the 2014 German BBL season on a trial contract, but left before playing a game after a training injury.
Ray Turner joined the Wellington Saints for 2015 tournament play in Taiwan and the Philippines, recording 22 points and 15 rebounds in a William Jones Cup win over the United States.
Ray Turner joined Akita Northern Happinets for the 2015–2016 bj league season in Japan, averaging 15.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks across 54 games.
Ray Turner joined Falco KC Szombathely for the 2016–2017 Hungarian League season, averaging 9.4 points and 5.2 rebounds across 11 games before leaving by mutual agreement.
COLLEGE
Ray Turner played four seasons at Texas A&M from 2009–10 through 2012–13, finishing his career with 117 games played and 49 starts while producing 6.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game across his time in College Station.
Turner’s Aggies career began in 2009–10 after he was initially ruled ineligible to start the season, but once he joined the rotation he appeared in the final 20 games off the bench and averaged 2.9 points and 2.6 rebounds in just under 10 minutes per game.
During that freshman season, Turner had a highlight moment on February 3, 2010 against Missouri when his dunk made ESPN’s Top 10 plays and was voted the Big 12 Play of the Week, an early snapshot of his athletic impact in limited minutes.
As a sophomore in 2010–11, Turner played 32 games and made his first career start, averaging 13.4 minutes per game with 4.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest, while also leading Texas A&M in blocks and ranking among the team’s top rebounders despite remaining in a reserve role most nights.
Turner took a major step forward as a junior in 2011–12, appearing in all 32 games and starting 16 while averaging 21.6 minutes, 9.1 points, and a team-high 5.5 rebounds per game, and he led the Aggies in field-goal percentage at 57.3 percent on 118 made field goals from 206 attempts.
That 2011–12 season included his first career double-double on December 7 against Sam Houston State with 15 points and 10 rebounds, and it also featured two 20-point games in the first two games of the season as he established himself as a dependable interior scorer and rebounder in an expanded role.
As a senior in 2012–13, Turner played all 33 games and started all but one, averaging 23.4 minutes per game and recording three double-doubles to give him seven for his career, while compiling 303 points to finish third on the squad with 9.2 per game and pulling down 206 rebounds to average 6.2 per game.
Turner’s senior season-high came on November 15 in a win over Prairie View A&M when he scored 17 points, and he finished his Texas A&M career with 536 rebounds, the 20th most in program history.
AWARDS
- SBL MVP (2015)
Related
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