Disclaimer: This piece does not reflect the views of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Junior, G/F, Virginia
6’6.25", 230.6 lbs
5.0 % Body Fat (8th lowest in Draft)
6’11.75" Wing Span
8’.5" Standing Reach
College Stats In 2014-15:
26 games, 12.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.7 SPG, 46.6 FG%, 45.2 3P%, 78 FT%
Where He’ll Go:
Anderson is expected to go somewhere between 20 and 30 in the first round.
Best Game In 2014-15:
On Dec. 6 against VCU, Anderson finished with a season-high 21 points to go with eight rebounds, one assist and one block. Twenty-one points is cool and all, but it was how Anderson scored his points that made this game so special for him. He shot 6-of-7 from the field, 3-of-4 from the three-point line and 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. Talk about efficiency.
Anderson fits the mold of a “3 and D” type of player that so many executives are dropping major cash on right now. Obviously he won’t come into the league right away and become a Danny Green or Trevor Ariza. But that’s what will be the ultimate goal for the team that drafts him will be.
He’s rock solid at 230 pounds and already has an NBA body. His 6’11.75” wing span should be perfect for disrupting passes and creating steals for his fellow teammates. He only averaged 0.7 steals per game with Virginia, but that probably has more to do with coach Tony Bennett���s “no gamble” policy.
On defense, Anderson thinks he can end up guarding four positions. On defense, he fits the mold of a shooting guard or small forward. When talking at the Combine, he had some lofty goals for himself – which is probably a good thing. You wouldn’t want it to be the other way around, right?
“I want to try to be that guy that does it all,” Anderson said. “Be one of those players that is doing it at a high level. Klay Thompson. Jimmy Butler. Kawhi Leonard. Danny Green. Just a new age of young guys who can guard multiple positions and also can knock down open jumpers.”
Besides from the three-point shot (a shot he didn't make consistently until his junior year), Anderson isn’t much of a threat at all offensively. He can’t create a shot, but he’s decent in transition when he has a full head of steam.
If you look at the jump he made his junior year, shooting 45 percent from deep, it’s not hard to believe that he’ll continue to improve his outside shot. Obviously he won’t shoot 45 percent in the NBA, but 37-40 percent should be a goal for him if he can get playing time during his rookie season.
At the Combine, Anderson confirmed that he met with the Hawks, Celtics, 76ers, Warriors, Jazz, Spurs, Mavericks and Pacers.
Anderson also confirmed that he had a workout scheduled with the Celtics on June 1.
The Celtics pick 16 overall. If Anderson went that high, he’d be thrilled.
“It was pretty sweet,” Anderson said on meeting with the Celtics at the Combine. “(Coach) Brad Stevens was actually in my interview. I think what stuck out most to me was him and his relationship he has with his guys. That college-like environment. Just coming out of college, I think playing for him would be similar to playing for coach Bennett.”
Twitter Talk
Quotable
“When it comes to position, I think I can guard the point guard through the four. I can use my strength in the low post. I can also use my length, quickness, athleticism on the smaller guards.” – Justin Anderson on his position on the defensive side of the ball.