GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - Last summer, all Green Bay's Daniel Turner (McCordsville, Ind.) could really do was watch. After injuring his shoulder and having surgery, he was limited in what he could do on the court and in the weight room, and he did not like it. With one season under his belt and a clean bill of health, the sophomore is taking advantage of this offseason and enjoying his time on campus.   

Turner, despite missing the offseason and many of his team's preseason practices, started 26 games for head coach Brian Wardle as a freshman. Turner, became a fan favorite for his hard-nosed play, averaged 6.6 points per  game and pulled down a team-high 5.8 rebounds per contest, a number that also led all Horizon League freshmen.

Along with his teammates, Turner and his teammates are going through voluntary workouts and pick up games while attending summer classes. Throughout the summer, GreenBayPhoenix.com will catch up with members of the men's basketball team with a weekly Q and A.

How has the offseason gone so far? What have your goals been in terms of individual improvement?
"The offseason has been going really well with the team becoming a lot closer together. Everybody is working really hard to improve as a unit. My individual focus has been to finish better at the rim, improve my catch and shoot, especially from the three-point line, and to continue to get quicker and stronger."

You talked about working on your outside shot. Is that something you are developing more consistency and confidence with?
"As a team, we have been really getting a lot of shots up so that has been really good to see the guys shooting a good percentage. For me personally, I have been shooting it really well with nobody guarding me and it is starting to carry over into some pickup games."

Last offseason you were unable to play because of your recovery from shoulder surgery. How will having this time this summer to work in the weight room and on the court help you be ready to go when practice begins?
"Last offseason was tough for me. It was the first time I had sat out from anything, but at the same time it was good for me to watch and get to see how things were done. This offseason has been very official with putting weight on and being able to improve my skill level and shooting."

Despite missing many of the preseason practices, you were able to start 26 games as a freshman. Were you surprised by how much you played and contributed in your first year?
"I think I came in with the mindset with that I wanted to do whatever I could to help the team, and it ended up being that my role was starting and to play some minutes. I was really happy about that, but at the same time it is all about the team."

What did you learn as a freshman that will make you better as a sophomore? What about the Horizon League and Division I basketball in general did you learn?
"Just how much every second literally counts. You can be in great position one minute and the very next your man can cut to the basket and if you are not paying attention and on your toes you are going to get beat. You have to be aware and alert at all times."

Even as a freshman, you showed some leadership on and off the court. With the graduation of the three seniors, is that a role you have embraced even more?
"I think trying to become a leader. We all lead in different ways, but I am probably one of the more vocal leaders on the team. Everyone has ownership in the program so everyone must lead in their own ways."

Talk about the play of your classmate Alec Brown, both last season and the improvements he has made this offseason.
"Alec had a really, really good year last year. He made the All-Newcomer team last year which is great for a freshman. It just seems like he gets better every day. He is 7-1, he is super skilled and he is shooting it so well. He is tough to guard and he is blocking everything."

What have you learned about the newcomers since some of them have been around campus this summer?
"They seem like really good, high-quality, high-character guys. They are here to work hard, and they are all about winning."

What are you most excited about for the upcoming season?
"I think probably are team chemistry and the work that we have been putting in, and I am excited to see how that is going to pay off."

What have you been up to off the court this summer?
"Spending time in the classroom. I am taking anthropology now and took cultural images during the first summer session. Other than that, it is just back in the gym shooting."