Recruiting Report: Ryan Turell (2018)

Ryan Turell faced a difficult decision regarding his club basketball future: Stay on Earl Watson Elite's top team and tour the Under Armour Circuit, or drop to the second team where opportunity was aplenty. He picked the latter and doesn't regret that choice for one second. “I thought that I could flourish on the second team,” Turell told Prep Hoops at the WCE Summer Kick Off. “I knew I could get a lot more minutes and I liked the coach and team chemistry. I love the guys I'm playing with.” Turell's teammates certainly enjoy playing with him, too, as the 6-foot-4 is what's often described as a stat sheet stuffer and someone who is always in the gym working on his craft. During his junior season at Valley Torah high school, the Turell filled up the stat sheet with season averages of 25.3 points, 12.4 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 2.6 blocks per game. He helped lead the Wolfpack to a 22-2 overall record last season, reaching the CIF Southern Section Division 5AA semifinals, and even though he already boasts a well-rounded game, he's hungry for more development. 2018 guard Ryan Turell has his sights set on improved athleticism this summer. “I'm getting up at six every morning and working on ball handling skills and getting to the rim,” Turell said. “I'm also working on my lateral quickness so I can be the best defender I can be. You have to be a great defender and I'm trying to take it personally with the guy I'm guarding. “The next step in my develop is my athleticism,” he added. “It's getting to the rim and dunking on someone.” A lot of the work Turell puts in is to make sure he's not too shell-shocked when transitioning from a lower level high school slate to the supremely athletic club basketball circuit. “The only difference is the speed,” he told Prep Hoops of the higher level of club basketball competition and what he expects to see at the next level. “It takes me a week to adjust but I stay in shape and I run a lot.” The rising senior has early recruiting interest from a wide variety of schools and is looking for a place where he can get high levels of education and competition on the hardwood. “Right now I have three offers,” Turell said. “Cal State Northridge, Southern Utah and West Point. I'm looking for a school with a high education and a high level of basketball.”