INDIANAPOLIS - For Jazmyn Turner, her journey to becoming a Jaguar at IUPUI wasn't easy. Originally from Marion, Indiana, she grew up as a laid-back kid that loved her family and enjoyed playing games, watching movies, and hanging out with friends. After graduating high-school, the question of where to continue her basketball career became one that needed to be answered quickly.

Impressively, Jazmyn played in 103 career games at Marion High School with a total of 1,347 points, averaging 13.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Her ability to shoot the ball well attributed to her high scoring, where she shot better than 50 percent from the floor in both her junior and senior years.

Although basketball was a sport Jazmyn picked up later in her childhood, it was something that she'd love for years to come. "Her father got her into it, but I knew she was going to be a great basketball player because she was tall, just like her dad," Jazmyn's mother said in an interview. "It played a very important role in her upbringing. It allowed her to grow a lot. From helping others to being very polite with her teammates, she never had an attitude. Jazz was always outside playing, whether it was by herself or with her dad, brother or even the neighbors. She got along with everyone."

From a very young age, her parents instilled in her to always be friendly with others and try to make the best out of any situation. Her journey as a basketball player started in the fifth grade when she played for the boys and girls club at school. Jazmyn was quick on her feet, could dribble the ball well and looked comfortable on the court—all of which impressed her parents.

When asked if there was a specific moment she knew Jazmyn had skill, her mother's answer was clear. "It was after her first game. Basketball was all she talked about. And I knew then, that her father and I didn't have to do anything else but support her and be there for her—and the rest would come. We never missed a game from that point on because we saw how gifted she was and how happy it made her."

Before making it to IUPUI, Jazmyn had played for two different universities. She stated initially she didn't want to take the junior route coming out of high school. But once she got to Wabash Valley College as a freshman, she didn't look back. In fact, Wabash Valley was a pivotal moment in her career as her stats had improved. In her first year there, she averaged 15.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game and shot 68 percent from the floor. As a sophomore, the same followed but slightly better; she averaged 16.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. In 2020, she was named the NJCAA Region XXIV and Great Rivers Athletic Conference Player of the Year and helped Wabash Valley to a 21-4 mark.

Ball State University, Jazmyn's second school, was a point when her career took an awkward turn. She played in only eighteen games, coming off the bench in each one. "It was definitely an eye opener," Jazmyn said when asked about her life at Ball State. "Didn't really get the experience I wanted when I was there. It was a downer. I wasn't able to showcase my talents and who I truly am. I was, actually, going to commit to another school [Arkansas State]."

After realizing Arkansas State wasn't for her, Jazmyn was soon approached by Kate Bruce, the current head coach of the women's basketball team at IUPUI. It seemed Kate was the light she needed, as she saw the talent Jazmyn had.

Despite a rough year at Ball State, Jazmyn's skills as a ball player eventually led to her being awarded a full-ride athletic scholarship to IUPUI in June 2022. "I think she's a great player and more importantly, a great person," Coach Kate Bruce said about Jazmyn. "She's the definition of a student athlete. She's starting her Master's degree this year, and since she's [from Marion] – an hour away – I think it's really exciting for her to be close to home. And she's an important part of our basketball team."

Coach Kate Bruce took a chance on Jazmyn, and it proved to be an excellent choice. In her first year as a senior for the Jaguars, she was voted Second Team All-Horizon League. Additionally, she led her team in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 14.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game as well as 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals. Jazmyn even recorded two double-doubles against Oakland and Purdue Fort Wayne.

As a fifth-year student, her basketball career again took an unexpected turn when Turner suffered an injury in the first quarter of IUPUI's game against Ohio State on November 12th this season. Jazmyn landed awkwardly and rolled her ankle – a common accident in basketball.
Despite being out for seven games (five weeks), Jazmyn continued to do a great job of remaining engaged and remained close to the team—attending all practices, games and film sessions. In many respects, she became a leader, coaching her teammates from the sidelines and being very vocal whenever necessary.

"Seeing her be a leader brings joy to me because she's always been quiet, so for her to be vocal—that lets me know that she's not only growing as a player, but she's growing as a person too," Jazmyn's mother said about her daughter's basketball career at IUPUI. "She was a leader on every team she's been on, simply because she's such a kind person and was never cocky. Jaz wouldn't consider herself the best player on the team because she's always been humbled."

While living up to her role as a prominent leader for the team was great, being sidelined is never fun for any athlete who wants to get out there and play. "With the ankle sprain, it's my first time sitting out this many games of my whole career. Last year, I suffered a concussion but only missed one game," Jazmyn said about being sidelined. "This injury set me back mentally and physically, mainly because it's my last year playing basketball."
When Turner returned to the court on December 15 against Eastern Michigan she was limited to a set number of minutes. It wasn't until January 4 against Detroit Mercy that she seemed to be back in full Jazmyn style with 21 points and eight rebounds in the Jags win over the Titans.

Since returning to the court for the Jags, Turner has recorded two double-doubles. She totaled 14 points and 10 rebounds against Northern Kentucky (January 14) and 13 points with 10 rebounds against Robert Morris (February 18). She even tallied a season-high 22 points at Northern Kentucky (February 14).

Although her final season of college basketball hasn't looked as she hoped, Turner knows her future looks bright. The possibility of her playing professionally is a topic she and her mother have discussed before numerous times.

"I think she has the chance to do so. The way she goes to the basket and how hard she plays and also the way she can get up and down the court [shows that]," Jazmyn's mother said. "Her ability to guard every position and her athletic talents continually impress me. She surprises me every game with some of the stuff she does – so, absolutely she has a chance. I've always told her to never give up, hang in there, do her best and that she can accomplish anything she puts her mind to."

Jazmyn and the IUPUI women's basketball team will host Purdue Fort Wayne for their final home game this Saturday, February 24. The Jags will also celebrate senior day, recognizing Turner, Tahlia Walton and Jaci Jones as they welcome the Mastodons for a 2:00 PM tip.