Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
By ALAN AVITALNEW YORK — With Arizona transfer Lamont “Momo” Jones headed East — potentially to St. John’s, Seton Hall or UConn — incoming point guard Josiah Turner figures to have a major role in his freshman season at Arizona.
Turner came East this weekend for the iS8/Nike Spring Classic and dished out eight assists as the Sean Bell All Stars beat New Heights, 73-56, in the semifinals.
Sean Bell will face Real Scout in Sunday’s championship game.
“Coach [Sean] Miller told me that I was going to be a big part of the team next season,” said the 6-foot-3 Turner, who finished up his senior season at Quality Education (N.C.) alongside St. John’s signee Sir’Dominic Pointer.
“I am coming in and putting a lot of pressure on myself. My strengths that I will bring to college are that I can look up the floor and can pass the ball to my teammates. I am also pretty strong, taking the ball to the basket.”
Turner will be joined in the backcourt by incoming freshman Nick Johnson of Findlay Prep. Johnson played the quarterfinals with New Heights last weekend, teaming with future Arizona forward Sidiki Johnson, but he did not make the trip East this weekend. The 6-9 Sidiki had 16 points in the semifinal loss.
New York recruiting expert Tom Konchalski believes Turner’s transition to the Pac-10 will be seamless.
“Josiah is excellent in transition,” he said. “He is great in the lane. He will also allow future teammates [Nick and Sidiki Johnson] the ability to get great shots.”
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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
By ALAN AVITAL
NEW YORK — With Arizona transfer Lamont “Momo” Jones headed East — potentially to St. John’s, Seton Hall or UConn — incoming point guard Josiah Turner figures to have a major role in his freshman season at Arizona.
Turner came East this weekend for the iS8/Nike Spring Classic and dished out eight assists as the Sean Bell All Stars beat New Heights, 73-56, in the semifinals.
Sean Bell will face Real Scout in Sunday’s championship game.
“Coach [Sean] Miller told me that I was going to be a big part of the team next season,” said the 6-foot-3 Turner, who finished up his senior season at Quality Education (N.C.) alongside St. John’s signee Sir’Dominic Pointer.
“I am coming in and putting a lot of pressure on myself. My strengths that I will bring to college are that I can look up the floor and can pass the ball to my teammates. I am also pretty strong, taking the ball to the basket.”
Turner will be joined in the backcourt by incoming freshman Nick Johnson of Findlay Prep. Johnson played the quarterfinals with New Heights last weekend, teaming with future Arizona forward Sidiki Johnson, but he did not make the trip East this weekend. The 6-9 Sidiki had 16 points in the semifinal loss.
New York recruiting expert Tom Konchalski believes Turner’s transition to the Pac-10 will be seamless.
“Josiah is excellent in transition,” he said. “He is great in the lane. He will also allow future teammates [Nick and Sidiki Johnson] the ability to get great shots.”
RELATED CONTENT
**St. John’s, UConn potential landing spots for Jones
