January 15, 2007
Shelter from the storm
hard-working Anthony Turner
Anthony Turner has endured far much more in his few years than most people encounter in a lifetime. A top 100 football prospect back in Louisiana, Turner’s life hit the proverbial brick wall when the Gulf Coast was devastated by Katrina but after locating relatives in California, he settled in Oakland and Castlemont High, where he now excels on the basketball court.
"He’s a very resilient young man," Castlemont High coach Gerald Pleasant offers.
In the case of Anthony Turner, mark that down as an understatement as he has endured far much more in his few years than most people encounter in a lifetime.
Turner was living out on his own in New Orleans, garnering the attention of recruiters, especially because of his high school football exploits. This was pre-Katrina. But once the Gulf Coast was devastated, Turner’s life hit the proverbial brick wall. As with many other residents, he was forced to evacuate from New Orleans as places to reside were minimal and his school had also been badly damaged.
Through assistance from The Red Cross, he located relatives in the Bay Area. After calling and asking if he could come and stay with them for his senior year of high school and getting the go-ahead, he quickly made his way to California.
It turned out a cousin was attending Castlemont and Turner enrolled there for his senior year. An ankle injury prevented him from playing football but now he’s healthy and making the most of his opportunity on the basketball court. So much so that he’s currently averaging a double-double, 18.5 ppg. and 10.5 rpg. His rebounding numbers curiously break down to 80 boards offensively and 83 at the defensive end.
"Besides being a great kid and very coachable, he’s one of those guys who are just hard workers," is how Pleasant describes Turner, adding "he’s earning his numbers even though I don’t run any plays for him."
Pleasant calls the 6-foot-4 Turner a raw basketball talent driven by desire. About Turner’s rebounding prowess, he says "he has great hands and he just goes and gets it. Plus, he finishes well."
Just look at Turner’s statistics against some of the other powers: against Richmond, 26 points and 12 rebounds, Crenshaw (16 and 14), Newark Memorial (20, 13) and Berkeley (23, 11).
Turner self describes himself thusly. "I’m mostly playing inside now but I was a shooting guard back home. I can shoot the three and rebound and I’m also calm under pressure." He was also involved in AAU basketball back home.
Besides his on court success, Turner is also working just as hard in the classroom. His school records from New Orleans were destroyed in the Katrina carnage so his high school academics will be based on what he accomplishes this school year at Castlemont. Currently, he sports a 3.6 grade point average and is looking to major in finance and business in college.
Pleasant says Turner was also a Top 100 football prospect back in Louisiana but his forced departure, his relocation and not being able to play at Castlemont this season has disconnected him from recruiters who were displaying interest.
Hey you football and basketball scouts, check out number 34 on Castlemont. Your head coach will be thankful.