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Why new Memphis Sports Hall of Famer Andre Turner doesn’t question timeline of return to Tigers

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Why new Memphis Sports Hall of Famer Andre Turner doesn’t question timeline of return to Tigers

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Timing is everything.

If anyone knows that all too well, it’s Andre Turner, the former University of Memphis guard who cemented an indelible legacy within the sports landscape of the city where he was born and raised when he hit back-to-back game-winning shots against UAB and Boston College in the 1985 NCAA Tournament. Those shots lifted the Tigers to the Sweet 16 and the Elite Eight, respectively, and “the Little General” was instrumental in Memphis reaching one of the three Final Fours in program history.

So, when Turner was asked whether there was anything serendipitous about his return to his alma mater as a member of Penny Hardaway’s coaching staff and his election into the Memphis Sports Hall of Fame both coming in the same year, he was quick to answer.

“It was planned, it was planned, it was planned,” Turner said, joking. “But it’s special. I couldn’t have made it any more special than it is right now – for it to happen the way it’s happening, for me to be back home.”

Turner spoke with local media at the Renasant Convention Center ahead of the Memphis Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony. In addition to Turner, nine others also became officially enshrined Wednesday evening, including former Memphis women’s basketball star Regina Street, NFL Hall of Famer and former Memphis Showboats defensive lineman Reggie White, longtime WMC-TV sports director Jarvis Greer, and former Memphis Grizzlies star Zach Randolph.

Rounding out the 2024 class are college swim coach Dick Fadgen, United States Racquetball Association Hall of Famer Andy Roberts, Melrose legend Bobby “Bingo” Smith, former Memphis women’s basketball star Regina Street, former prep basketball coach Robert Newman and longtime ECS football coach Jim Heinz.

For Turner, his induction has brought back a flood of memories, including his star turn on college basketball’s biggest stage as a junior in 1985. But that wasn’t the first thing he thought about when he got the call.

“You think about everything,” he said. “But, to be honest, I (first) thought about my very first time that I played organized basketball at Lindenwood Christian Church. (Then), all my coaches that I played for in junior high, high school, college, overseas and in the NBA. Every last one of those individuals had played a special part in my development and who I am today.

“So, it stirred up a whole bunch of memories.”

Hardaway hired Turner as director of player development/alumni and community relations in June. Before that, Turner was head coach at Lane College for three seasons and head coach at Mitchell High School, his alma mater.

As much as Turner had hoped to be a Tiger again sooner, he hasn’t questioned the timeline.

“Of course, if it was left up to me, I would’ve been at the University of Memphis, you know, 20 years ago,” he said. “But, for it to happen right now, it’s the right time. My timing is not always the right timing – His timing is the right timing.”

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Being almost 40 years removed from his collegiate playing career, some of the current Tigers have had to be introduced to Turner’s competitive credentials. But he leaves that up to others.

“Guys like (assistant coach) Mike Davis – he brings it to their attention,” said Turner. “Even (former assistant Rick) Stansbury, when he was here. (He would say), ‘Guys, you have a point guard here who has done it on all levels – you might just want to listen to one or two things he has to say.’

“I’ve always been taught that what you do and what you achieve in life, that’s for others to talk about. Enjoy what you’ve done, continue to work hard, keep your head down and grind.”

Since returning to Memphis, Turner has steered his primary focus toward working closely with the players both in practice and away from the formal practice windows.

“(I may call) the guys and say, ‘Hey, OK, it’s 6 o’clock in the evening. We had practice this morning, but let’s get back in the gym and get that extra work in,’” he said. “That’s the only way you get better. You put that extra work in.”

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.

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