Turner says he still has hope of being NBA’s overall No. 1 draft pick

Chicago – Evan Turner would welcome the opportunity to play for the 76ers. But if the Ohio State junior guard had his druthers, he'll become a Washington Wizard because that would make him the No. 1 pick overall.

Turner made that known during Thursday's media availability at the NBA Combine Camp here.

"I think going [No. 1 overall to the Wizards] is still a possibility," said Turner, one of 52 invited prospects participating in the two-day combine at the Attack Athletics facility here on the city's west side.

"We are definitely going to do an individual workout for (Washington) and see what's going on from there."

The Wizards, however, are expected to use the first pick on Kentucky freshman John Wall in next month's NBA draft. Turner is projected to be taken by the Sixers with the No. 2 overall pick, assuming Wall goes to the Wizards.

"I think I did a lot of work this year," Turner said of why the Wizards should select him. "Just think about all the adversity [a lower back injury] I came back from and my maturity level now. Not to be arrogant or cocky, but I won every national player of the year award."

Turner won't participate in drills at the combine. He is scheduled to interview with the Wizards Thursday. He'll interview with the Sixers Friday. They are the only two teams he's interviewing with at the combine.

At 6-foot-7 and 210 pounds, Turner has the ability to play the point guard, shooting guard and small forward positions.

The 21-year-old swept the Wooden, Oscar Robertson, Associated Press, Naismith and Sporting News' 2009-10 national-player-of-the-year awards. Turner did that by averaging 20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 6 assists and 1.7 steals this past season.

One of his highlights was a game-winning 37-foot three-pointer as time expired in Big Ten tournament quarterfinal victory over Michigan.

Turner's impressive mid-range game, high basketball IQ and craftiness are among the many reasons the Sixers are expected put him in at shooting guard along side point guard Jrue Holiday.