Recruiting Report 2018: Christian Turner (Takoma Academy)
On the cover photo, Christian is driving on top 20 rated Maret HS (26-5) and 6’11” top 100 Luka Garza who will play for the Iowa Hawkeyes next season.
Christian Turner, 6’5″, SF, Takoma Academy, Takoma Park, MD, 2018.
This past season Christian was a key player for the Takoma Academy as the Tigers finished the season at 26-15 and played the toughest schedule in school history which included WCAC and Capitol Beltway conference teams, arguably the best conferences in the DMV. Christian was tied for 2nd on the Takoma Academy last year in rebounding, 3rd in blocked shots, tied for 3rd in assists, and 5th is scoring. Recently Christian has grown from 6’3″ to 6’5″ and he is improving his game by his hard work which has made him a legitimate college recruit.
Christian says his basketball strengths are, ” I love to attack the rim in transition and the half court. Also, I like to use my my mid range game off the dribble and rebounding is another strong point. My defense is very good, and and I like to play on ball D. ” However, Christian says he has some work to do,” I am working on my ball handling a lot this spring and my jump shot off the dribble with my Trainer, Coach Dale. In college, I may move to the 2 & I want to be as versatile as possible. I am always trying to improve my overall game and get any edge I can for this coming season. My father helps me with strength training and I have seen a lot of improvement. This spring and summer I am working on my stamina and I am running a lot.”
Loyola of Maryland and George Mason University have shown a lot of interest in Christian who says, “I am very interested in all the local colleges and it would be great to stay near home. However, I am open if the right school offered.”
We have watched Christian this summer at The DeMatha BSN Summer League @ DeMatha HS in Hyattsville, MD and have been impressed with his overall game, skill-set and very high basketball IQ. Christian has proved to an excellent slasher with creativity, outside shooter, facilitator and defender. In addition to being a stat sheet stuffer, Christian does all the intangibles to help his team win. We believe Christian is a D1 prospect, but this coming season will determine at what level of college basketball Christian will play. We will be covering the Takoma Academy and Christian this coming season providing game & updated Recruiting Reports reports.
Under the guidance of Head Coach Jerry McFarland now entering his 4th year as Head Coach for The Takoma Academy, the Tigers are thriving in academics and basketball. Christian says, “At Takoma our classwork is the priority over basketball. We have a great a academic institution, faculty & support staff. Currently, my GPA is a 3.3 and I plan on majoring in Criminal Justice in College. “However, once we start practice Coach McFarland stresses being the best players we can be and really coaches us great in all aspects of basketball.”
The Takoma Academy has many other excellent college recruit prospects and we will have a report on The Takoma Academy and their players next week. We believe the Tigers are one of the best kept secrets in the DMV this year and have the potential to be ranked team in the Washington, DC DMV.
Christian is playing for the 16 & U DC Blue Devils this summer who are currently 12-0 on the Under Armour Grassroots circuit. Christian says, “I am backing up 3 positions for the Blue Devils & gaining great experience.” We have covered the DC Blue Devils first 3 UUA Sessions this season and we will cover the UUA finals this July 12-15 in Cartersville, Georgia which is outside of Atlanta.