Yeshiva College’s Ryan Turell, nation’s main school basketball scorer, to enter 2022 NBA draft, goals to be league’s first Orthodox Jewish participant

Yeshiva College’s Ryan Turell will forgo his remaining yr of faculty eligibility and enter the 2022 NBA draft, he informed ESPN.

“My full intention is to play skilled basketball subsequent yr,” Turell mentioned.

Turell is the main scorer in school basketball throughout all divisions, averaging 27.1 factors whereas capturing 47% from 3. His crew gained the Skyline Convention championship, profitable 50 consecutive video games spanning from November 2019 to December 2021 and at one time being ranked No. 1 within the nation in Division III.

Turell is trying to grow to be the primary Orthodox Jewish participant within the NBA. He wears a yarmulke on the basketball court docket when he performs, and he mentioned he plans on persevering with to take action as knowledgeable.

“Being the primary Orthodox Jew within the NBA would imply the world to me, and a dream come true, God prepared. However, simply as importantly, it could imply the world to others that by no means noticed this as a chance.”

Turell is a two-time convention participant of the yr, and the main scorer in Yeshiva historical past with greater than 2,000 factors, regardless of each his sophomore and junior seasons being shortened by COVID. Turell has been completely scouted by NBA groups this season, with a number of homeowners, executives and former gamers attending video games in New York to look at him in particular person.

“I do know NBA groups got here to see me,” Turell mentioned. “My coach would inform me after every recreation, particularly towards the top of the season. Fairly just a few NBA groups got here to look at.”

Turell’s capability to make photographs in quite a lot of conditions at 6-foot-7, be it working off screens, pulling up in transition, or spacing the ground from nicely past the NBA 3-point line, provides him a coveted area of interest he may doubtlessly fill on the skilled degree. His 1.31 factors per possessions ranks him because the third best shooter in all of faculty basketball in accordance with Synergy Sports activities Know-how, together with second in capturing off screens.

Turell will not be at present projected to be chosen, however may acquire steam in the course of the pre-draft course of in personal crew exercises or showcases just like the Portsmouth Invitational Match, which says he’s into account to be invited to. Scouts will scrutinize his capability to proceed to attain prolifically in opposition to larger and longer gamers as the extent of competitors rises, in addition to maintain his personal on the defensive finish.

“I wish to get into as many NBA gyms as doable and present them what I can do. I’ve received to knock down photographs and be an amazing defender and teammate.”