Star Ansett guard Josh Turner now aspiring for an NBL1 roster sport after cutting short US college career at Jamestown College

HIS American dream might be over, but star Ansett guard Josh Turner still has plenty to look forward to in a basketball career that is continuing to blossom.

Ansett guard Josh Turner has enjoyed a fine start to the 2021 DBL season. Picture: Jasmine Harrison

HIS American dream might be over, but star Ansett guard Josh Turner still has plenty to look forward to in a basketball career that is continuing to blossom.

The 20-year-old guard – who excels at running downhill and putting himself in scoring positions in the paint – is averaging 17.5 points per game over his first four Darwin Basketball League games.

Turner’s outfit took on Palmerston in a Round 5 blockbuster last night.

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The playmaker grew up in Darwin and first got a taste of the strong Ansett family ­culture at 10. But then he and his family left the Territory for Queensland.

Turner represented South West Metro in the Sunshine State.

He then got the opportunity of a lifetime to play for Jamestown College in the state of New York.

But he never got the chance to impress scouts in games because of the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had in the US.

“I didn’t play. For six months I just trained and then our season was cancelled,” Turner told the NT News.

“A lot of my time over there was just spent in my room studying. It’s tough, but I can’t dwell on it.

“I can only control what I can control and focus on the present moment.”

Turner’s disappointment became Ansett’s delight at ­getting a highly talented junior back. And because he represented the club 10 years ago, Turner does not count as an import player. “When I got back to Australia I contacted (Ansett coaching director Paul Rowse) and I came back up to Darwin,” he said.

Turner is loving his time at a club which, year after year, can boast about its strong local playing depth.

Ansett’s Josh Turner is loving his time back at the club. Picture: Jasmine Harrison

“We haven’t even had our best team on the floor yet,” Turner said of his side which was in third with a 3-1 record before taking on the undefeated Power (4-0) last night.

“We’ve had people in and out of the team, and Matty Hunt only came back for us last game (for a 95-73 win over Lightning).

“We showed what we can do as a team in that game, especially the way we defended.

“Kane Toohey has stepped up a lot, and has been good in the time he’s been playing point guard.

“Anthony Rowse has also been very good after coming back from the under-18 national championships.”

Like Australian NBA superstar Ben Simmons, Turner has spent years honing his craft as a driving guard player.

“I like playing with aggression in getting myself to the rim,” he said.

“I hadn’t played games for a year, so I’m getting my game fitness back. I’m pretty happy with how I’m going, especially with the team winning.”

Turner said his participation in the renowned Brian Kerle Academy in Brisbane greatly helped him develop as a player and person.

“It helped me prepare for college and helped me become the player I am today,” he said.

Eagles also took on Jets last night. Lightning v Ellas and Cannons v Uni play tonight.

Lightning v Ansett and Razzle v Uni are the women’s Round 5 games.