Career: INSEP (France-N1, 1998-2001), Gonzaga Bulldogs (USA-NCAA, 2001-05), Los Angeles Lakers (USA-NBA, 2005-07). Drafted in the second round of the 2005 NBA draft (#37) by the Los Angeles Lakers.

Turiaf is one of the most amazing stories basketball has seen in this past few years. Diagnosed with a potentially fatal heart condition right after being drafted in the summer of 2005 by the Los Angeles Lakers, Turiaf had to go through complicated surgery to even live a normal life - not to mention play basketball again. Few thought he would ever return to the court professionally but the former Gonzaga star never gave up. He fought through rehab and not even six months after the surgery was able to join the Lakers for the end of the season. No player had ever come back from this kind of procedure to play in the pros. He won the European Championship for Junior Men in 2000 with Diaw, Parker and Pietrus, but made the surprising choice to go to the NCAA rather than sign with a Euroleague team. He became the leader – on and off the court – at Gonzaga University before being drafted by the Lakers. Despite competing at a very crowded center position with former number one overall draft choice Kwame Brown and the talented Andrew Bynum, Ronny managed his way into Phil Jackson's rotation proving you can never question his heart.