Prospect Spotlight: Andrew Anderson (2019)
If you think Andrew Anderson has to play at one of the top Division 1 basketball programs in the country, then it’s obvious you haven’t talked to this kid.
If you think Anderson is worried about where he may end up once his high school basketball career is over with, then you haven’t been paying attention to his movements at all.
“I just want to play college basketball,” Anderson said. “I don’t really care about the name.”
In this day and time, it’s unusual for talented high school basketball players to not want to play at schools such as Duke, Kentucky, UCLA, North Carolina, Michigan, Michigan State, Florida, and many others. But, Anderson is a different type of player, with the same talents as other guards he’s having to compete with for scholarships.
Anderson has one more year of high school left at Tipton Rosemark in Millington, Tennessee, and hasn’t thought much about where he may end up. He’s focused on letting his game speak for itself, which is what college coaches will look at once the time comes for Anderson to commit to a school.
“I’m not stressing about it as much, because I know things are going to come,” said Anderson, who admitted to enjoying the process more than his parents. “Coaches have been contacting me to come see me play. I’m just enjoying the process. I’m not really stressing about it right now.”
Anderson, 6-foot-1, 174-pounds, is a left-handed point guard that can carry the label of being either a pass-first or score-first guard. He has a high motor, can push the basketball up the floor past multiple defenders, and isn’t afraid of contact. He thrives at attacking the basket when the lane is open. Anderson has a nice mid-range jump shot, and can be a tough task for a defender due to his speed.
He’s built like an old school guard, with no signs of being flashy. Anderson doesn’t care to be the team’s leading scorer. He doesn’t care to make a highlight reel in isolation. Anderson feels there are other qualities besides scoring that makes him a great point guard.
“I think my ability to get everyone else involved, just being a great leader, and doing whatever it takes to win the game,” Anderson’s concept of being a solid point guard.
Anderson pays attention to Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving, and his brother, C.J. Anderson, a 6-6 guard that recently graduated from the University of Massachusetts. With Andrew Anderson not being as flashy as Irving, his game is similar to Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley in terms of not doing too much, but doing all of the right things to win.
Anderson recently picked up an offer from South Alabama, a school that didn’t reach out to Anderson until he was invited to the school’s camp. Anderson outplayed other guards the Jaguars were looking at, which changed South Alabama coaching staff’s direction of pursuing some of those guards. The Jaguars quickly came after Anderson with an offer.
Arkansas State and Ole Miss are showing interest, but have yet to offer Anderson.