[2] Turner Thorne studied psychology at Stanford University, where she played basketball under Tara VanDerveer.

[4] In 1993, Turner Thorne became head coach at Northern Arizona, winning consecutive seasons in 1994-95 and 1995–96, the first time the school had accomplished this.

Turner Thorne has led the Arizona State women's basketball team to the NCAA Tournament 14 times.

In the 2006-07 season, the Sun Devils won 31 games, including a school record 16 Pac-10 wins, which brought them to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the first time.

[5] In 2009 the Sun Devils made the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three seasons under Turner Thorne's leadership.

[5][6] In July 2009, Turner Thorne became vice president of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's (WBCA) Executive Committee.