College Commitment: Kaleb Anundi (2019 Stayton HS)
This past weekend was one that Kaleb Anundi won’t soon forget. The solid 6-foot-8, 200-pound was getting ready to play in the Northwest Shootout where he was going to get a chance to go up against two of the nation’s best up front. But before he stepped foot on the court, Anundi also decided to make a decision on where he’ll be playing college basketball and he decided to make the final call before tip-off.
“I’ve committed to NCU officially and am very excited for it,” Anundi said. “I told them (Saturday) before the game. I just felt like I fit really well with them. Touring the school I liked the school and I liked the campus. I’m excited to play with (fellow NCU commitment) Stevie (Schlabach) too. It just felt like a really good fit for me so I’m excited for it.”
Anundi described the fit on the basketball floor for him next season. “I feel like pick-n-roll, pick-n-pop – I think I’ll work well with them in there,” Anundi said. “I know they have some talented guards. I think I’ll be playing inside and out so I’m excited to expand my game there because I know they do have some big guys (in the league).”
Anundi chose Northwest Christian over Corban and Chico State, the latter of which he recently made an official visit to and liked. But in the end, location did play a factor in the final decision. “I like the fact that (NCU) is an hour, an hour-and-a-half away from home,” Anundi said. “So I’ll get the college feel but I’ll still be able to go home when I want, so I think it’s the perfect distance away.”
It was a special senior season for Anundi, who earned First Team 4A All-State honors this year for Stayton. And while the Northwest Shootout didn’t turn out the way the team wanted as Washington used its size and athleticism to get past Oregon, Anundi was thankful he was selected and had the opportunity to play – and while he wasn’t caught up with the names, going up against nationally known players Jaden McDaniels and Anton Watson was a special opportunity as well.
“It’s not everyday that you get to play against the top-tier, whatever they’re ranked – Jaden’s ranked, what, top ten in the nation?” Anundi said. “It’s cool to play against guys like that, just seeing where you compare against them and it was just a cool opportunity all-around. It was fun. It was a really good experience getting to know all the guys and everything.”
Anundi currently ranks as the #23 player in the PrepHoops Oregon Class of 2019 rankings.