Myles Turner stood at center court, flanked by teammates and enveloped in a raucous ovation. The scoreboard glowed brightly above him—confetti still scattered across the hardwood floor—as he took a breath and brought the microphone to his lips. This wasn’t just a victory lap; this was the culmination of years of sacrifice, growth, and grit.
Just moments earlier, the buzzer had sounded, sealing the win that would send Turner and his team to the NBA Finals. For the first time in his nine-year NBA career, the former Texas Longhorn was headed to the sport’s biggest stage. But before boarding a flight for Game 1, Turner had something to say to the home crowd—the fans who had supported him through highs, lows, and everything in between.
A Longhorn Legacy
To understand the weight of this moment, one has to look back. Before he was swatting shots in the NBA and stretching defenses with his perimeter shooting, Turner was a blue-chip recruit out of Bedford, Texas. At 6-foot-11 with an inside-out game that made scouts salivate, he chose to stay in-state and committed to the Texas Longhorns for the 2014–15 season.
Though he spent just one year in Austin, his presence was felt across the Forty Acres. He averaged 10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game, earning Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors. But more than the stats, Turner carried himself with a maturity and professionalism that belied his age.
Texas fans knew early on that Myles Turner was destined for more—and they were right. The Indiana Pacers selected him 11th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, kicking off a career that would be defined by elite rim protection, quiet leadership, and an ever-evolving offensive skill set.
Now, nine years later, Turner had done what so few ever do: lead a team to the NBA Finals.
A Message from the Heart
As Turner stood before the sea of fans, many of whom wore his jersey and chanted his name, he looked genuinely moved. After a long pause, he began to speak.
“This… this is why we play the game,” Turner said, his voice slightly cracking. “For nights like this. For fans like you. And for the chance to make history.”
He thanked his teammates, coaching staff, and front office. But then, as the crowd settled into a respectful silence, Turner took it deeper.
“Before I talk about what this means for me now, I want to go back to where it all started—Texas.”
The mention of his alma mater drew cheers from Longhorn fans in the crowd who had followed his journey since his college days.
“UT was where I really started to become who I am—not just as a player, but as a man. I walked into that program wide-eyed, with dreams of the NBA. But what I got in return was so much more: a family, a foundation, and a sense of purpose that I carry with me every time I step on this court.”
He smiled and added with a grin, “Shaka Smart might’ve left, but Texas never left me.”
The crowd erupted.
The Evolution of a Star
For years, Myles Turner was one of the NBA’s most underappreciated players. A perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate who rarely got the credit he deserved, Turner quietly toiled in Indiana, becoming the franchise’s anchor while other big names came and went.
But this year, something clicked.
Armed with a new coach who fully embraced Turner’s two-way game and surrounded by teammates who complemented his style, Turner delivered the best season of his career. He averaged a career-high in points, matched his personal best in blocks, and improved his three-point shooting to nearly 40%. The big man was no longer a role player or just a “rim protector.” He was a star.
And now, with his team heading to the NBA Finals, the basketball world was finally giving Turner his due.
“It took me a while to get here,” he admitted to the crowd. “There were seasons where I wondered if this moment would ever come. I saw teammates traded. I saw coaches come and go. And through it all, I kept my head down and went to work.”
“This isn’t just a win tonight. It’s a testament to persistence. To not giving up when it would’ve been easy. And to believing that if you stay true to who you are, the game will reward you.”
A Nod to the 40 Acres
While addressing the home crowd, Turner made sure to recognize his Texas roots.
“I know a lot of you have been rocking with me since my college days,” he said. “I see the burnt orange in the stands, and I just want to say thank you. Texas gave me the blueprint. It taught me how to carry myself with pride, how to handle the spotlight, and how to be a leader.”
He went on to mention former teammates from Texas, some of whom were in the building for the historic night.
“You don’t get to this point alone,” he said. “There’s a brotherhood that started at UT that still lives with me every day.”
Indeed, it was a full-circle moment for Turner—once a freshman phenom at Texas, now a seasoned veteran guiding his team to the NBA Finals.
What This Finals Run Means
For Turner, making the Finals is more than just a career milestone; it’s validation.
His career path hasn’t been without scrutiny. Some questioned whether he could be a franchise cornerstone. Others said he was too passive, too content to stay in the background. But those criticisms now seem outdated.
Throughout the 2025 playoffs, Turner has delivered. He’s shut down MVP-caliber bigs, hit clutch threes, and anchored a defense that has stifled some of the league’s most potent offenses. His leadership, once described as quiet, is now hailed as steady and dependable.
Turner’s journey—from a one-and-done freshman in Austin to NBA Finals leader—embodies what the game is all about: evolution, resilience, and seizing the moment when it finally arrives.
“We’ve got four more games to win,” he told the crowd. “But no matter what happens next, just know I’ll never forget this night.”
“From Texas to the top of the NBA—this one’s for y’all.”
Reactions Pour In
Following Turner’s emotional speech, social media erupted with tributes. Former Texas teammates like Isaiah Taylor and Jonathan Holmes posted messages of support. Even Coach Rodney Terry chimed in, tweeting:
“Myles Turner embodies what it means to be a Longhorn. Class. Leadership. Greatness. Go get that ring, big fella.”
NBA legends also chimed in. Tim Duncan, a fellow big man known for his quiet dominance, praised Turner’s evolution, calling him “the most complete defensive player in the league.”
Perhaps the most heartfelt post came from Turner’s mother, Mary, who tweeted a simple message:
“From watching you at Euless Trinity to seeing you lead your team to the Finals… I’m so proud of you, Myles.”
Eyes on the Prize
With the Finals approaching, Turner’s focus has already shifted.
“We’re gonna enjoy this tonight,” he told reporters in the locker room, “but we’ve got bigger goals. I didn’t come this far just to get here. I came to win it all.”
The match-up in the Finals promises to be epic. Two powerhouse teams, loaded with stars, clashing for the title. And right at the center of it all is Myles Turner, the once-underestimated big man who never stopped believing.
