Driven to the high-pressure courts of the University of Georgia by a basketball family, Trinity Turner’s journey to standout freshman on the Bulldogs’ women’s basketball team is nothing short of impressive.
With an unrelenting drive to outplay her own limits, and a deep-rooted love for the game passed down through generations, Turner is quickly making a name for herself in the college basketball world. It’s not just her skills on the court that set her apart, though, but rather her fierce determination to push through every challenge — taking her game to new heights.
Turner’s journey began with her father, who was the biggest influence in her life when it came to picking up a basketball.
“My dad is the biggest reason why I'm playing now,” Turner said.
But basketball really became a family affair when one person in particular pushed Trinity to perform from a young age — her sister. While many athletes admire professional players, Trinity's motivation came from her sister.
"I said I was going to be better than my sister," Turner said.
When it came time to decide on a college, Georgia stood out as the perfect fit. The Bulldogs’ coaching staff made a lasting impression when they offered Turner a scholarship while she was still in eighth grade. She felt a sense of loyalty to the program and knew she had to give them a shot before considering other options.
"They offered me when I was in eighth grade, so I felt like I had to give them a shot," Turner said.
Turner said her jump shot has been the biggest adjustment as a college player, as “it’s not easy to get to the basket at this level.” She shot 34.3% from the field and 28% from deep as a freshman.
Through the challenges of navigating her first year of college basketball, Turner’s older teammates have tried to keep her on the right path.
“I really just tell her, never lose herself. And I always tell her, even when she's struggling at times, just to be her,” senior guard Asia Avinger said. “Because she's so special and she has so much talent.”
Even though Turner is a naturally pass-first guard, her role has changed as she molded her game to the demands of college basketball.
“I’m a pass-first guard, but I’ve turned into a scoring guard,” Turner said.
Realizing the need to contribute more offensively, Turner has focused much of her development on becoming a more well-rounded scorer in Georgia’s offense. Her ability to balance playmaking with buckets is a key takeaway from her first year.
“I think what's interesting with Trinity, they always usually tend to put the best player on her defensively,” head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson said. “They always put somebody taller and longer on Trinity because she is our best scorer, so we gotta get her used to that because that's how people are going to guard her. But that's a compliment.”
One of the most defining moments of Turner’s freshman season came earlier this year when she delivered a game-winning buzzer-beater against Missouri in a thrilling 74-72 victory. With the game on the line, Turner showed incredible composure as she knocked down the decisive shot in the final seconds. Her performance in the game wasn’t just limited to the buzzer-beater, as she also scored 18 points and shot 8-for-22 from the field.
Reflecting on the moment, Turner expressed how ready she was for the opportunity.
“I was ready for the shot, my teammates had faith in me, so we were ready for it,” she said after the game.
That game-winning moment was more than just a highlight, it showed Turner can be the key player for Georgia. It demonstrated her ability to step up when the team needed her most and showed that she has the poise to handle big moments As her career builds, moments like her game-winner will only solidify her reputation as a rising-star in college basketball.
With the guidance of her coaches and teammates, and a year of experience under her belt, Turner’s potential is limitless. Her competitive drive, combined with her desire to keep improving, ensures she will be a major contributor to the team for years to come. Georgia fans can look forward to watching Turner develop into one of the most formidable players in the SEC, as her journey is only beginning.