Ohio State to hang Evan Turner's No. 21 in the rafters at Michigan game

At the intermission when Ohio State takes on Michigan Tuesday, Feb. 16, the Buckeyes will recognize one of their best players in their modern basketball history.

Joining only John Havlicek, Jerry Lucas, Jim Jackson, and Gary Bradds, former Naismith National Player of the Year Award winner Evan Turner will have his No. 21 raised to the rafters of Value City Arena. Though the Buckeyes will immortalize Turner's incredible stay in Columbus with the banner, an Ohio State spokesperson confirmed to Land-Grant Holy Land his number 21 will still be able to be worn by future Buckeyes.

Turner played for Thad Matta and the Bucks from 2008-2010. Along with Lucas (who won it twice), Bradds, and Jackson, he became the fourth individual who played at Ohio State to be named national player of the year.

The Chicago, IL product finished his career averaging 15 points a game (20.4 his national player of the year season). He recorded 27 career double-doubles along with two triple-doubles before going on to the be the second player overall chosen in the 2010 NBA Draft.

Turner is remembered fondly in Columbus (beyond his excellent career body of work) in no small part for what he did against Michigan in the Buckeyes' opening game of the 2010 Big Ten Basketball Tournament:

It's only appropriate a game against Michigan is the one he's being honored at.

Currently a Boston Celtic, Turner is known as much for his play on the court as his mercurial personality. Quirks aside, the guard's proven a valuable asset for Brad Stevens' young team. He's currently averaging 9.5 points per game, 4.1 assists, and 4.5 rebounds for the Cs.

Tickets for next month's Ohio State-Michigan game (and the ceremony honoring Turner at halftime) can be purchased here.