College hoops fans reminisce as Myles Turner celebrates his 9th year of being drafted by the Pacers: "We've watched him grow up holy"

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner played for the Texas Longhorns during the 2014-2015 season under coach Rick Barnes. He was taken at No. 11 by the Indiana Pacers in the 2015 NBA draft.

Turner was a one-and-done prospect after leading the Longhorns to a 20-14 record. He averaged 10.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks and was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year.

The Indiana Pacers on Tuesday celebrated Year Nine since drafting Turner with an appreciative X post:

"Longhorn turned Pacer 9 years ago today we drafted Myles Turner 11th overall in the 2015 draft."

College hoops fans in the comments reminisced on the journey that Turner has undertaken since then.

Most fans were complimentary of the career he had had with the franchise since he had been drafted.

"That drip tho," one fan tweeted.

"This old lady has loved watching ever since! Myles has everything seasoned Indiana fans expect from their players. Being the daughter of a HS basketball coach, I've seen a lot of basketball in my 70 years. Myles, you're the best!" another fan tweeted.

"One of my favorite drafts. I called Myles or Dbook," one fan tweeted.

Myles Turner was a high school star

Myles Turner was a five-star ranked as the No. 6 prospect nationwide according to 247Sports but he almost joined the Duke Blue Devils instead of the Texas Longhorns from Trinity High School in Eueless, Texas.

He once received 119 recruitment letters in one day, according to ESPN, and even had to change his phone number because of the media constantly calling him for interviews.

During an interview with ESPN, Turner talked about how the commitment to Duke of 2014's No. 1-ranked prospect, Jahlil Okafor, turned him away from the blue blood program towards the Texas Longhorns.

"I really wanted to go to Duke," Turner said. "The competitor in me is like, I'm not about to go team up with him; I gotta go against him. I have zero regrets about going to the University of Texas."

The Blue Devils went on to win the national championship, and Jahlil Okafor was picked No. 3 by the Philadelphia 76ers as Turner went to the Indiana Pacers.

In a 2014 interview with ESPN, former NBA coach John Lucas talked about how much potential Turner had before he made his commitment decision.

“He’s a program-changer,” Lucas said. “He can play anything from guard to center, and coaches will love him because of his work ethic. He listens. He wants to get better.

"I’m not sure we’ll see everything he has to offer while he’s in college because of all the zones and double teams he’ll face. But once he gets to play with a little freedom, he has the tools to be a star.”

Myles Turner has had a successful NBA career being part of the Indiana Pacers franchise that has become a force in the playoffs.