Could Turner end up at DSU?

CLEVELAND — Mississippi State might not be interested in Phil Turner’s services anymore, but seemingly everyone is.
Tuner, who was recently released from his scholarship at MSU after his redshirt junior year, visited Delta State Wednesday.
“It was a nice visit,” said the Grenada native, who said he has gotten offers from a wide range of schools including Nebraska, Georgetown, Arkansas State and Western Kentucky. “It’s close to home, so that’s a good thing.”
His visit was first reported by the WABG television station.
Turner, a 6-foot-3 guard who made a name for himself by playing the power forward position at MSU despite his size, would be a great addition to the Statesmen squad, said a anonymous DSU insider who couldn’t reveal his name due to NCAA regulations. Instead of playing out of position, Turner would be able to move back to his natural spot: guard.
“We would be ecstatic if he came to DSU,” said the source, who once also recalled the recruitment former Southern Miss standout Jasper Johnson to Delta State. “(Turner) would play the 1 or 2 position for (DSU).”
And that would be right up Turner’s alley.
Turner, who has four classes remaining to complete his degree in educational psychology, said he wouldn’t mind landing at a Div-II school to improve his guard-play abilities.
“I want to get some reps in at the point guard position in order to improve my chances on the next level,” said Turner.
The source said Tuner, along with his parents, got a chance to meet several players, faculty and staff while on the visit. The short 45 minute drive from Grenada to Cleveland hopefully will be an added bonus.
“We would love for the whole city of Grenada to come fill up the gym,” he said.
Another added plus for DSU’s chances in landing the highly coveted education major is their well-known master’s degree program.
“If he wants to be an educator, what better place to get his master’s degree than DSU; we were founded as a teacher’s college. Everyone in the area does their certification work here,” said the source. DSU finished 19-8 overall, 10-4 in the Gulf South Conference last year.
And how does the source think Turner would fit in at DSU?
“I think he could be the player of the year in the league,” he said. “He’s a verbal leader, and (DSU) haven’t had that since Jasper Johnson. It would be great to have type of maturity.”
If Turner finishes his final four courses before the fall semester he would be free to attend any D-1 school. If not, he would have to sign with a D-II or D-III college.
Turner was released from his MSU scholarship after Stansbury said he missed a year-end meeting and told several people he would not be returning to Starkville. Turner, however, says he has text messages stating that the meeting was cancelled and that he told several others he would be returning for his redshirt senior season.
But whatever the case may be, DSU would welcome Turner with open arms.
“That young man would be a tremendous shot in the arm for our team,” he said.

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