Boston Celtics swingman Evan Turner returned to his collegiate stomping grounds Tuesday night as the Ohio State Buckeyes raised his No. 21 to the rafters at Value City Arena.
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Forever ETched in @OhioStateHoops history.#ET21 #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/4cIDtg9qK8
— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) February 17, 2016
Hangin' w/ the GREATS! @thekidet's 21 becomes 5th @OhioStateHoops jersey number in the rafters @TheSchott. #ET21 pic.twitter.com/obf36bFkj4
— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) February 17, 2016
Turner enjoyed an excellent career at Ohio State, capping his three seasons in Columbus by winning six national player of the year awards in 2010. He’s just the fifth player to have his number retired by the school — a list that also includes Celtics legend John Havlicek.
With Boston in the midst of the NBA All-Star break, Celtics forward and fellow Ohio State product Jared Sullinger also was on hand to witness Turner’s number retirement ceremony, which took place during halftime of the Buckeyes’ matchup with rival Michigan.
Cool of Sullinger to support Evan Turner on the night his jersey will be retired at Ohio State… pic.twitter.com/nnxC6cprkQ
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) February 17, 2016
“That’s like a brother to me,” Sullinger, who was a freshman during Turner’s final collegiate season, said last week, via MassLive.com. “When he first got to Ohio State he really didn’t have, like, a family to lean on in Columbus. And my family took him in like a brother. So, it’s awesome. I want to support something that’s beautiful like that. He deserves every bit of it.”
The No. 2 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Turner currently is in his second season with the Celtics. He’s played in all 55 of Boston’s games, averaging 9.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists.
