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/ Men's Basketball
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Get to Know Men's Basketball's Nehemiah Turner
8/5/2025 10:13:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nehemiah Turner joined the Gophers after his freshman year at Central Arkansas where he saw action in all 33 games during the 2024-25 campaign. As a rookie, he started at the end of the season and averaged 18.1 minutes, 8.5 points and 4.2 rebounds. In his final two months of the season, Turner averaged 17 point and 18.5 in final 10 games of the year, including 10 double doubles. Nicknamed "Nemo" he turned heads when he scored 37-points, 11 rebounds in the opening round of the ASUN Championships in the win over Stetson. Hailing from Auburndale, Fla., he played prep ball at Williston Northampton where he earned All-WNEP and All-NEPSAC honors. Get to know about the sophomore forward in the latest question/answer session.Â
Why Minnesota?Â
I came here on my visit and I liked Coach Warner and Coach Medved and how they were talking with me through the recruiting process. I like the offense that they run, it's the same as I did the past few years. I felt like I could come here and grow. This coaching staff has a good winning tradition. I just want to win and get to March Madness.
Tell us a bit about your family.Â
I'm the youngest of six. I have three older brothers and two older sisters: PJ, Joshua, Isaiah, Christina and Patricia. Everyone played basketball and two of my brothers played DI and one went to college in Canada and then played overseas for 12 years. My mom is a massage therapist and my dad is retired. He got drafted to play in the summer league and played pro for a little bit. He then went into the Army and worked for 20 years in a prison and has since retired.
When did you start playing basketball and when did you realize you could play at the next level?
I first picked up a basketball when I was two. I've been playing my whole life and came into it. Around fourth grade, I finally loved the game and played travel ball and I gave up other sports. I also played football, but I made the final decision that I wanted to do something serious with basketball from there. Â Â
Describe your game and playing style.
I'm a passing big. I like to pass the ball and enjoy seeing my teammates score. I'm a hard worker and a competitor. I hate to lose and just want to win.Â
What's the best piece of advice you've gotten from a coach or teammate? Â
Coach Thorson is with me every day. He always tells me to have a killer mentality. Treat every rep like it's the last game of the season. Go hard at everything.Â
What have you learned so far from this coaching staff and experience?
I've learned that this is a coaching staff that really cares about you. They love you and really want to see you grow more on and off the court. I just want to win and develop with them. They really pay attention to you and work with you.Â
You're interested in criminology. What's interests you in that profession and after college, what would you like to pursue?
After I'm done playing, I'd love to work in the FBI. I want to solve cases. I know there's a lot of stuff that goes along with it and that many people don't even know about.Â
What's the best thing you've done here in Minnesota outside of basketball or what would you like to do before the season starts here.Â
I haven't been able to do too much, but I gotta make it to the Mall of America. I've heard a lot about it and it's one of the biggest malls, but I want to go and check it out.Â
What's one thing people don't know about you?Â
I love watching Anime, particularly One Piece.Â
What are you most looking forward to this upcoming season?
Playing on a bigger stage and playing for a winning program. I went to a school and we didn't win 10 games. I just want to be a part of a winning culture and have the opportunity to win the tournament.Â
Favorite food: It has to be specifically my mom's Jambalaya
Bucket list item you someday want to cross off the list: I want to play in March Madness for my dad. I want to have my dad at a March Madness game.Â
Favorite all-time NBA player or team: Dwayne Wade
Favorite Holiday and why: Christmas. It's usually the only time the whole family can get together with brothers, sisters, niece and nephews.Â
Favorite movie: Like Mike 2Â
Â
Why Minnesota?Â
I came here on my visit and I liked Coach Warner and Coach Medved and how they were talking with me through the recruiting process. I like the offense that they run, it's the same as I did the past few years. I felt like I could come here and grow. This coaching staff has a good winning tradition. I just want to win and get to March Madness.
Tell us a bit about your family.Â
I'm the youngest of six. I have three older brothers and two older sisters: PJ, Joshua, Isaiah, Christina and Patricia. Everyone played basketball and two of my brothers played DI and one went to college in Canada and then played overseas for 12 years. My mom is a massage therapist and my dad is retired. He got drafted to play in the summer league and played pro for a little bit. He then went into the Army and worked for 20 years in a prison and has since retired.
When did you start playing basketball and when did you realize you could play at the next level?
I first picked up a basketball when I was two. I've been playing my whole life and came into it. Around fourth grade, I finally loved the game and played travel ball and I gave up other sports. I also played football, but I made the final decision that I wanted to do something serious with basketball from there. Â Â
Describe your game and playing style.
I'm a passing big. I like to pass the ball and enjoy seeing my teammates score. I'm a hard worker and a competitor. I hate to lose and just want to win.Â
What's the best piece of advice you've gotten from a coach or teammate? Â
Coach Thorson is with me every day. He always tells me to have a killer mentality. Treat every rep like it's the last game of the season. Go hard at everything.Â
What have you learned so far from this coaching staff and experience?
I've learned that this is a coaching staff that really cares about you. They love you and really want to see you grow more on and off the court. I just want to win and develop with them. They really pay attention to you and work with you.Â
You're interested in criminology. What's interests you in that profession and after college, what would you like to pursue?
After I'm done playing, I'd love to work in the FBI. I want to solve cases. I know there's a lot of stuff that goes along with it and that many people don't even know about.Â
What's the best thing you've done here in Minnesota outside of basketball or what would you like to do before the season starts here.Â
I haven't been able to do too much, but I gotta make it to the Mall of America. I've heard a lot about it and it's one of the biggest malls, but I want to go and check it out.Â
What's one thing people don't know about you?Â
I love watching Anime, particularly One Piece.Â
What are you most looking forward to this upcoming season?
Playing on a bigger stage and playing for a winning program. I went to a school and we didn't win 10 games. I just want to be a part of a winning culture and have the opportunity to win the tournament.Â
Favorite food: It has to be specifically my mom's Jambalaya
Bucket list item you someday want to cross off the list: I want to play in March Madness for my dad. I want to have my dad at a March Madness game.Â
Favorite all-time NBA player or team: Dwayne Wade
Favorite Holiday and why: Christmas. It's usually the only time the whole family can get together with brothers, sisters, niece and nephews.Â
Favorite movie: Like Mike 2Â
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