Armed with a picture-perfect jumpshot, quick release and boundless range, James Anderson has showcased his efficient game on the collegiate, international and NBA levels, stretching the floor with his silky outside touch while demonstrating an uncanny knack for getting to the charity stripe.
The 20th overall selection by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2010 Draft, the athletic 6-foot-6 guard – who led the Big 12 in scoring (22.3 points per game) and Player Efficiency Rating (29.2) as a junior, per sports-reference.com – split time between the NBA and D-League over his first three pro seasons prior to his breakout campaign with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2013-14.
Starting 62 of 80 games, the Oklahoma State product set career-highs in nearly every statistical category – including points (10.1 per game), rebounds (3.8 rebounds) and assists (1.9) – scoring in double-digits 39 times and knocking down a team-leading 115 three-pointers.
Demonstrating a versatile offensive repertoire, Anderson also led the team in catch-and-shoot scoring (288 points – 3.6 per game) and finished second in field goal percentage within 12 feet of the basket (62.8 percent), as well as connected on 47.7 percent on drives to the basket – ahead of Brandon Knight, Kyrie Irving and Tyreke Evans – according to NBA.com.
On Nov. 13, 2013, the Arkansas native poured in a career-high 36 points on 12-of-16 from the field and six-of-eight from downtown in a victory over Houston, connecting on a tightly-contested, last-second triple from the top of the circle that sent the game into overtime – nearly five months after being waived by the Rockets.
Familiar with overseas competition from his experience as a member of the bronze-winning USA Basketball Team at the 2009 World University Games, the 2010 Big 12 Conference Player of the Year and Consensus First Team All-American suited up for B.C. Zalgiris Kaunas of the Lithuanian Basketball League last season. True to form, Anderson ranked seventh in the EuroLeague in scoring (14.5 per game) and tied for ninth in three-pointers made (1.93), showcasing his patented perimeter firepower en route to earning an All-Star berth and leading his team to the Lithuanian Cup championship.
In 2015 Summer League play, No. 5 led the Kings in free throws made (2.7 per game) and placed second in points (12.3), consistently slashing to the basket to flip in nifty floaters and draw contact. Anderson topped his team in the scoring column in two of his three appearances, including a game-high 17 points on a perfect six-of-six from the field in a 90-71 victory over Golden State on July 13.
Drawing inspiration from the remarkable development of former Spurs teammate and fellow D-League alum Danny Green, the fifth-year guard – who previously played under Kings Assistant Coaches Chad Iske and Vance Walberg in Philadelphia – should continue to thrive as a reliable bench option for Sacramento by scoring off screens, finishing in transition and creating his own shot off the dribble.
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