Ronny Turiaf (born January 13, 1983 in Le Robert, Martinique) is a French basketball player, selected in the second round (37th pick overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. He primarily plays power forward, but also sees playing time at center, particularly when the Lakers' regular centers are injured or in foul trouble. His first name is pronounced as rhyming with pony.
Turiaf spent most of his childhood in Martinique, moving at age 15 to Paris to attend Insep (National Institute of Physical Education), which combines secondary school with elite-level athletic training. By 1999, he had made the French under-18 national team, and in 2000 he and future NBA stars Tony Parker, Boris Diaw, and Mickael Pietrus helped lead France to the European under-18 championship.
In 2001, he left France to attend Gonzaga University, playing four years. In his last three years at Gonzaga, he was named a first-team All-West Coast Conference player, and was the conference's Player of the Year in his senior year (2004-05). For his career at Gonzaga, he averaged 13.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, averaging 15.9 points and 9.5 rebounds as a senior.
After being drafted, Turiaf signed his rookie contract with the Lakers. Then, while preparing to play with the Lakers' summer league team in 2005, he underwent a physical which uncovered a heart-related problem; a more comprehensive exam found an enlarged aortic root, known as aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva. As a result of Turiaf's condition, the Lakers voided his rookie contract. However, given the doctors' prognosis that successful surgery should correct the problem and possibly allow Turiaf to return to a basketball career, the team paid for his surgery after the NBA did not prohibit them from doing so.
Turiaf underwent open-heart surgery on July 26, 2005. He was initially expected to miss the entire 2005-06 NBA season and to work toward joining the Lakers for the 2006-07 campaign. However, after being given what Laker coach Phil Jackson termed "a new lease on life", Turiaf recovered more quickly than expected. Just six months after his surgery, he signed a new contract with the Lakers, forgoing an opportunity to play in Spain for more money. He was able to play by the middle of the 2005-06 season, but was used only sparingly, as Jackson was still wary about playing him.
After his rookie season, Turiaf was named to the French national basketball team for the 2006 Basketball World Championship tournament.
On Wednesday, November 1, 2006, in the second game of the 2006-2007 season, Turiaf scored career highs in almost every category, including 23 points, against the Golden State Warriors. So far in the 2006-07 season, he has been a key component, given the absence of teammates Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown, due to injury.
When in the game, Turiaf is noted for the high level of energy with which he plays. When not in the game, he remains an animated cheerleader from the Laker bench, well-known for his sideline antics and for keeping his team joyful, even when losing.
Source : Wikipedia
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Ronny Turiaf Agrees to Deal with Golden State WarriorsIt looks like the Lakers energy man Ronny Turiaf has received and accepted a rather generous offer from the Golden State Warriors. Reportedly the Warriors have offered Turiaf $17 million over four years. ... Continue reading
Kobe Bryant: Sad to See Ronny Turiaf GoKobe Bryant sure liked playing (and appearing in YouTube videos) with Ronny Turiaf. Janis Carr of the Orange County Register quotes Bryant on Turiaf's departure, via free agency, to the Warriors: ... Continue reading
Ronny Turiaf Agrees to Deal with Golden State WarriorsSad day for Lakers fans that love Ronny Turiaf. It looks like the Lakers energy man Ronny Turiaf has received and accepted a rather generous offer from the Golden State Warriors. Reportedly the Warriors have offered Turiaf $17 million ... Continue reading
Team Preview #12: Golden St. WarriorsStep 2: add the high-energy Ronny Turiaf for interior defense and frontcourt depth. The Warriors have been missing an athletic banger for years, and for $17 million over 4 years, I like this move a lot. Step 3: bring in a talented point ... Continue reading
Au Revoir to Ronny Turiaf?Ronny Turiaf has reportedly been offered a contract of four years and $17 million by the Golden State Warriors. Not surprising, since Golden State is severely lacking in muscle down low. But, he is a restricted free agent, ... Continue reading
The Home StretchYes sir, you read it right: Ronny Turiaf is winning with 63%, compared to Kobe Bryant's 24%. A big thank you to all the Turiafites and to those spreading thw rod, but please don't stop voting! Tell a friend, Turiaf or bust, etc., etc. ... Continue reading
By former Jayda star Ronny Turiaf and Wilcox and Durant missedObamas message is full of it. Jayda Coldfelder, daughter of Darrell and Charity Coldfelder of Brownstown and Corey Reynolds, son of Ryan and Crystal Reynolds of Crothersville were the. He pleaded guilty in and got nine years in prison. ... Continue reading
Farewell to Ronny TuriafI saw this one coming immediately when I heard Golden State made him an offer sheet, but as unsurprising as this is, I am going to miss Ronny Turiaf as a fan. He brought energy off the bench, played with tremendous hustle and effort, ... Continue reading
Ronny Turiaf Would Like to Thank Lakers Fans, but He's Happy to Be ...Ronny Turiaf gambled by exploring his options in free agency, and it panned out. He signed a 4 year $17 million offer sheet with the Warriors, who desperately need someone with his skillset. The Lakers elected not to match, ... Continue reading
Warriors Decide Ronny Turiaf Is Where They'll Be Spending All That ...The Warriors have come to a verbal agreement with Lakers restricted free agent Ronny Turiaf on a four year deal worth an estimated $17 million. As he is a restricted free agent, the Lakers have seven days to match the Warriors offer. ... Continue reading
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