Barbara Turner

Women's basketball WNBA player, Seattle Storm, Botaş SK former Connecticut University player

What is Barbara Turner known for?

Born on June 8, 1984, in Cleveland, Ohio, Barbara Turner is a former American professional basketball player recognized for her significant contributions in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and in various international leagues. Her journey began at East Technical High School in Cleveland, where she received standout honors like the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-American title. Turner further showcased her skills in the 2002 WBCA High School All-America Game, scoring thirteen points.

Transitioning towards a more competitive environment, she played college basketball at UConn from 2002 to 2006. In 2003 and 2004, Turner's exceptional performance helped UConn win NCAA Championships. Her college career was further adorned with recognitions such as the 2003 Big East All-Rookie Team recognition, 2004 All-Big East Second Team, and others. However, Turner and her team narrowly missed out on another NCAA championship in the 2006 Final Four bid.

When it comes to representing her country, Turner was part of the U.S. team for the 2003 Pan American Games. Despite a tough start, the team managed to win five games and secured a silver medal. In the tournament, Turner averaged 5.4 points per game.

Following her successful college career, Turner was selected 11th overall in the first round of the 2006 WNBA draft by Seattle Storm. She proved her worth during her rookie season, transitioning from power forward to small forward, and started in 9 games while appearing in all 34 games during the 2006 season. Her stats were impressive, averaging 6.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists.

For Turner, the basketball court extended beyond national boundaries. She played for several international teams between 2006 and 2021, including A.S. Ramat-Hasharon, Fenerbahçe, Houston Comets, and Botaş SK, among others. Presently, she is working as an assistant coach for the Atlanta Dream, marking another milestone in her extensive basketball career.

For more on Barbara Turner's career statistics, visit this Basketball-Reference page.