With the NBA draft right around the corner, now is the time to look at some past drafts and see what the Philadelphia 76ers have done in their history. The Sixers have selected some big-time players in the past who have become an important part of the fabric of the franchise’s history.
After a tough 2009-10 season, the Sixers entered the draft with the No. 2 overall pick. With that selection, they turned to Ohio State star Evan Turner who had one helluva collegiate career. He averaged 20.4 points in his junior season with the Buckeyes and was named the AP Player of the Year.
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In his rookie season, Turner averaged 7.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while helping the Sixers make the playoffs. In the 2012 playoff run, Turner averaged 11.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists as he helped the No. 8 seed Sixers upset the top seed Chicago Bulls in Round 1 and push the Boston Celtics to seven games in Round 2.
Overall in 3.5 seasons with the Sixers, he averaged 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds before being sent to the Indiana Pacers at the deadline in the 2013-14 season. He was averaging 17.4 points and 6.0 rebounds in 54 games for Philadelphia that season before the trade to Indiana.
Turner also played for the Boston Celtics, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Atlanta Hawks. He was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves early in the 2019-20 season, but did not suit up for them.
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Philadelphia 76ers draft rewind: Selecting Evan Turner No. 2 in 2010
