GENERAL CAPSULE: Showed productive scoring ability last season... will be looked for as a consistent offensive threat this year... excellent accuracy from 3-point range... good defender and rebounder... will be counted on to produce at both ends of the floor this season.
2000-2001 SEASON (9.3 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.8 SPG): Turned in a productive season in third year on the Hilltop... scored a career-high 22 points against New Mexico State (1/7/01)... poured in team-high 21 points against Santa Clara (1/20/01)... dished out a career-high eight assists against Gonzaga (2/10/01)... connected on four 3-pointers in a pair of games... ranks seventh in career 3-point field goal percentage at .356 (67-188)... third on the team in scoring (9.3)... rated second on the team in steals (51)...among West Coast Conference leaders in scoring (23rd)... posted single-season bests in scoring (9.3), rebounds (3.4), steals (1.8) and assists (2.3).
1999-2000 SEASON (7.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.6 SPG): Provided a spark off the bench as USF's sixth man in 1999-2000... exploded for a season-high 20 points at Pepperdine (1/22/00) on 8-11 from the floor - including 3-4 from 3-point range... ranked second on the team in 3-pointers made (21)... converted on .500 (17-34) of 3-pointers during league play to rank fifth in single-season West Coast Conference only 3-point field goal percentage... ranked second on the team during WCC play scoring at a 8.6 ppg clip...recorded first career double-double in 10 point, 10 rebound performance against San Diego (2/11/00)... scored 14 points and connected on 4-5 from long distance in USF's victory at Gonzaga (2/26/00)... shot better behind the 3-point line (.389) than in front of it (.374).
1998-1999 SEASON (6.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.0 apg): Had a nice freshman season with the Dons... a versatile athlete who played both guard positions, as well as small forward... led the Dons in free throw percentage (24-28, .857)... had some big games,including a 21-point performance at home versus Portland to help her win WCC Co-Player of the Week honors (2/1/99)... scored in double figures five times, including a 10-point game in the first round of the WCC Tournament versus top-seeded and WCC regular season Co-Champion Pepperdine.
PREP CAREER: Selected Most Valuable Player of the Bay Valley Athletic League as a senior at Clayton Valley High School...averaged 17.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in her senior campaign, while leading the team to the North Coast Section Division II Title... also a First Team All-Conference player as a junior... graduated in 1998.
PERSONAL: Melanie Cecelia Turner... hobbies include working out and reading... goals for this season are to win the WCC title and go to the NCAA Tournament... favorite food is Lucky Charms cereal... favorite athletes are Michael Jordan and Marion Jones...the best advice I could give to youngsters is hard work pays off so be patient and determined so that your dreams come true... also pursuing a minor in Psychology... daughter of Michael and Jennifer Turner... born February 16, 1980 in Concord, CA.
WHY I CHOSE USF: The school, the atmosphere and especially the team and the coaching staff were the most positive things that attracted me to USF. I have loved every second of it and I'm so happy I chose to come here.
STRAIGHT FROM THE COACHING STAFF: Melanie is one of our most experienced players on the perimeter. Her ability to score in our transition game is a great asset to our offense. She has improved a lot defensively.
