16 | FEBRUARY 29 • 2024 

and the Pistons upset Turell’s beloved 
Los Angeles Lakers in the 2004 NBA 
Finals. The Pistons had a notably Jewish 
connection that season, with Larry 
Brown as head coach.
In high school, Turell starred at 
Valley Torah High School and played 
for an AAU Basketball Team created 
by former UCLA and NBA player Earl 
Watson. His AAU team was comprised 
of a who’s who of southern California 
roundball talent.
He turned down Division I 
opportunities to play at Yeshiva, a 
Division III university in Washington 
Heights, New York. Turell led the 
Maccabees on a 50-game winning 
streak, was the top scorer in all of college 
basketball in 2022 (27.1 points per game), 
as well as the D-III Player of the Year.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 
Turell had an extra year of eligibility 
— even though he’d already completed 
a bachelor’s degree in marketing/
management.

GOING PRO
Turell, who is Yeshiva’s all-time leading 
scorer with 2,158 points, decided instead 
to go professional and learned to adjust 

quickly.
“The size, speed and athleticism were 
the main differences,” Turell said. “Next 
to the NBA, the G-League is the fastest 
league in the world. Division III is like 
a game of chess. Once I figured out the 
size and speed of the G-League, it got a 
lot easier.”
Making the jump from superstar to 
role player could test one’s ego, but not 
for someone as selfless as Turell.
“I’m on a better basketball court, so 
I have to find a role and opportunity 
to help the team win,” said Turell, who 

attempts as many three-pointers as 
possible until he hits 500 of them daily, 
as part of a summer training routine. 
Fans in Texas are hoping Turell is 
promoted to the Pistons in time for 
their April 12 trip to Dallas in the 
Mavericks’ regular season home finale. 
“I absolutely feel like I have a good 
chance at the NBA,” Turell said. “There 
are 1,200 people in this world good 
enough to play in the NBA and there’s 
only 350 jobs. 
“I think I’m part of those 1,200 players. 
Now, it’s all about opportunity.” 

OUR COMMUNITY
COVER STORY

continued from page 14

Jewish fans 
cheer Turell on.

A superstar in D-III college ball, 
Turell sees an opportunity to be 
a role player in the pros.

