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NBA veteran Jeff Turner returns to the Orlando Magic broadcasting team as the television analyst. He joins David Steele to call the action on FOX Sports Florida and spent parts of the past two seasons (2011-13) as studio host.
Turner made his Magic broadcasting debut in April of 1996 as radio color analyst on the Magic Radio Network and spent nine full seasons in that role from 1996-2005.
During the spring of 2005, Turner was named leadership development coordinator at Lake Highland Preparatory School in Orlando. In addition, he served as the school’s head varsity basketball coach for eight seasons (2005-13), compiling a record of 151-72 (.677). Turner led the program to a district title in 2010-11 and a runner-up finish for the Class 4A state crown in 2011-12, before guiding the Highlanders to the Florida Class 4A State Championship in 2012-13.
Originally selected in the first round (17th overall) by New Jersey in the 1984 NBA Draft, Turner appeared in 612 NBA regular season games during his career with New Jersey and Orlando, averaging 6.0 ppg. and 3.3 rpg. After spending three seasons with the Nets and two years in the Italian Basketball League (1987-89), Turner became a member of Orlando’s inaugural squad in 1989. In 411 games (176 starts) with the Magic, he averaged 6.5 ppg. and 3.6 rpg., and helped them reach the 1995 NBA Finals. Turner, who retired in March of 1996, still ranks among Orlando’s all-time leaders in games played (tied for eighth).
A graduate of Vanderbilt, Turner was an All-SEC First Team selection as a senior (1984) and a two-time All-SEC Academic selection (1983-84). He was a member of the 1984 Olympic Gold Medal basketball team.
