[2] In 1984, Turpin was chosen as the sixth overall pick in the first round by the Washington Bullets in the NBA draft, being immediately traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

As a professional, however, he struggled with his weight, and after six seasons with the Cavaliers, the Utah Jazz, CAI Zaragoza and the Bullets, he retired.

Earning the derisive nicknames "Dinner Bell Mel" and "The Mealman", Turpin was considered one of the biggest busts in a draft class that included future greats such as Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and John Stockton.

[3] In a 2004 Sports Illustrated article, Turpin quipped, "In my day, they thought the big man was supposed to be thin.

[4] During his National Basketball Association spell, 361 regular season games brought him averages of 8 points and nearly 5 rebounds.