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**RebelSun** · 11-26-2006, 12:59 PM

6'9, 225 F - Cal

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/player...playerId=31647
http://www.nbadraft.net/admincp/prof...nanderson.html

Freshman forward has quietly started the season averaging 19 and 9. Has 3pt range, but doesn't seem to have great athleticism.

**HKF** · 11-26-2006, 01:01 PM

Literally has come out of nowhere to be an impact player. I heard of him on the West Coast a year ago, but didn't know he was this good.

KG4MVP2 · 12-10-2006, 10:49 AM

is he a legit nba player?

BigMac · 12-10-2006, 12:46 PM

going to be somewhat like Austin Croshere in the NBA.

**cpawfan** · 10-28-2007, 07:37 PM

A good interview conducted by nbadraft.net

http://nbadraft.net/ryanandersoninterview001.asp

Quote:

By Aran Smith
NBADraft.net
9/28/07

You just got out of practice, describe a normal day of practice, what kind of stuff do you work on?

Well we get in there at 1 every day, and normally we have to get taped and stuff and ready to play. We do palates every Wednesday and then we lift weights for about an hour after that. But our normal practice schedule, we have two days a week that we can practice with the coaches for an hour. So, we do that and then we play in the gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

How’s the team looking right now?

Good. Devon’s (Hardin) healthy and back and as big as ever so he’s going to help us a ton. Jerome (Randle) at the point guard, he’s really stepping up and playing really well right now. Theo (Robertson) we just gotta hope he recovers from his injury. But we got other guys that can fill in for him. Theo had hip surgery so he’s kind of just trying to recover from that. But Patrick Christopher is playing real well.

If you were to choose one guy to have a break out season for Cal who would it be?

One break out guy? It would probably have to be Patrick Christopher.

You were Pac-Ten freshman of the year and 5th in scoring at 16.4 ppg and 6th in rebounding at 8.1 rpg, how were you able to make such an easy adjustment to college basketball?

It was really just my teammates put a lot of confidence in me, and I just really love playing basketball. It’s so much fun to me, and it just comes natural to me. This is really my style of play and the team really looked to me a lot because Devon was out, so playing center against bigger guys that I may not be as strong was tough, but I made the adjustment.

You made the adjustment from playing more at center in high school, to losing some weight and playing a little more as a wing player, what gave you the incentive to do that?

Well yeah, I did come out at around 250 pounds so I was a big guy, and so I slimmed down a lot. I knew I wouldn’t be playing center in the college game. So I knew I wanted to slim down and get in really good shape. Now my game’s kind of transformed, and because of that I’m much quicker on my feet. Lately I’ve been improving at going to the basket. So I’m excited to see how next season is going to go.

Would you say that’s been your biggest focus in the off-season?

Yeah. Because people already know I can shoot it. And they try to stop me there. So I’ve just been learning how to go around guys. And I’ve been working on that in the open gym.

How much do you feel you can improve upon the numbers you put up last year?

You know it’s not really a lot about the numbers for me. As much as I want to score 20 a game. And I know I probably could, getting everyone else involved is more important. We have so much talent, so many guys that can score, so it would be tough for me to go out and focus on that.

Is winning the Pac-ten this year a realistic goal for Cal?

Yeah it really is. I mean we just need to pull everything together. It’s a lot, Jerome knows it, but it’s a lot on him to step up and fill in for Ayinde (Ubaka) who’s our leader. We really need him to step up, but once he does, I mean he’s so good, and he’s capable of doing it. I don’t know very many teams that could stop our line up.

Has Devon Hardin fully recovered from the foot injury?

He really has looked good. As much of a defensive player as he is, he has really looked great on the offensive end. He’s so strong, so we should really compliment each other.

I remember seeing him play in the San Francisco Pro Am two years ago and being amazed at how good his form looked and wondering why he didn’t score more, of course they had Leon Powe then.

He’s way better than he was last year.

Devon Hardin came close to leaving for the draft last year, what does it mean having him on the team this year?

It means that I don’t have to play center! (laughing) No but it’s huge for us. I know that rebounding wasn’t our strongest… I mean we rebounded the ball pretty well, but with Devon back, nobody should get an offensive rebound on us. He’s so strong and he can guard guys, he’s going to help us a ton.

How about his returning affecting your game?

It was so much easier scoring with him down on the blocks. They double him and I get a wide open shot.

Now what’s it like going up against him in practice?

You know, We kinda learn each others moves, we kinda know what each other are going to do next. He’s hard to stop when he’s coming right at you and just bodying you, and it’s just kind of a helpless feeling, I mean he’s just so strong. He just needs to get close to the basket, and it’s over.

I actually was thinking Darryl Dawkins as a good comparison for him, who in the NBA past or present does he remind you of?

Wow, he could be like a Ben Wallace. You know, maybe even a Dwight Howard if he polished up his offensive moves. You know, he’s got a lot of time to improve. Once he gets all those things tightened up, he’s going to be pretty good.

You came into Cal as the 98th rated recruit according to rivals.com, did you feel that you weren’t given the respect you deserved or did you feel that it had more to do with your own improvement from high school to college?

I feel a little bit like I didn’t get the recognition I should have. But that’s the way it goes you know, it’s politics. It’s people want to see who they want to see. If somebody is a big name they’re going to go look at them. So being from Sacramento, it’s not exactly a basketball powerhouse type of place. So in a way it was a good thing because if I did get that recognition, I would never want it to get to my head and affect the way I play.

Does the Pac-Ten get the respect it deserves nationally?

It’s getting it now. Last year we had the best conference in the country. And this year it should be even better. We had a lot of teams in the top 25 through most of the year so, I think we’re gaining more and more respect. But the schools on the East coast are always going to be the powerhouse kind of schools. We are overlooked, but we have a lot of talent.

...

Is there one game above the rest that you have marked on your calendar?

Maybe not one specific game but I’m looking forward to going to Nevada and getting them because they got us last year when they came down. And we’re full throttle this year so it’ll be a good game against them.

What part of your game do you currently feel you need to work most on?

Probably my ball handling. Like I said I mean it’s gotten a lot better but if I’m going to want to play on the next level and play some on the perimeter, that’s the first thing I need to improve on.

How do you feel your skills fit into the next level, and is there a team or type of team that your skills fit best with?

I have a lot of skills to develop, but you know that’s what the NBA’s for. I feel like I could have that type of an NBA game like a pick and pop. Learning more about driving to the hoop, I think I could maybe be a perimeter type of 3/4, getting quicker and stuff. But as far as what type of team I would want to play, I mean Dallas, the Mavericks, I’ve always loved the way they play. You know I like to shoot it. I like to do a lot of things, but shooting is one of my favorites.

If you have another big season this year, would you consider entering the NBA draft?

If god blesses me to have a great season as I did last year, or even better and I’m able to show people how much I’ve improved, there’s a possibility. It’s been my dream you know. I’ve always wanted to play in the NBA. And if it’s the best opportunity for me than I’m going to go after that opportunity. But it’s really a focus on the team because we’re bringing guys in, and we got a chance to be real good.

**cpawfan** · 10-28-2007, 07:40 PM

DraftExpress lists him as the 6th best pro prospect in the PAC 10

http://draftexpress.com/viewarticle.php?a=2229

Quote:

Ryan Anderson was easily one of the most impressive freshmen in the entire country season. Overlooked early on by his more highly touted low-post teammate DeVon Hardin, Anderson picked up the slack before and after Hardin’s injury to lead the Golden Bears in scoring at 16.4 points, while pulling down 8.1 rebounds per contest. Given the consistent play that we saw from Anderson last season, this year should prove to be one in which the sophomore garners a little more attention on the national scene.

Anderson already possesses good size for the power forward position, but in order to become more of a force on the block he is going to have to get stronger and add some bulk. He doesn’t have tremendous athleticism, granted he does run the floor pretty well for a big man, but his lateral quickness is sub-par, especially for a guy who spends so much of his time on the perimeter. He doesn’t have a great vertical, but still does a good job rebounding the basketball thanks to his knack for positioning and his hustle under the basket.

Offensively, Anderson brings plenty of versatility to the table. Despite standing 6-10, he definitely prefers to play facing the basket. This is where he separates himself from most other college big men, shooting 38% from beyond the arc. Anderson hasn’t shown the ability to create shots for himself though, instead he likes to rotate behind the ball and spot up. He has shown the ability to put the ball on the floor a little and drive to the basket, but often his shots are wild and off balance. His post game needs work as well. He doesn’t go to the basket very strong and often fades away when his shots are contested. Anderson does show some nice touch on his shot down low, but struggles at times when he is forced to the baseline.

Despite not being the strongest of players, Anderson had a great season on the boards, averaging over 8 per contest. He shows great hustle, especially on the offensive glass where he picks up a lot of tip-ins thanks to his size and aggressiveness.

Defensively, Anderson does a better job in the post than he does on offense. He holds his ground fairly well, and doesn’t leave his feet often. This usually forces opponents into taking awkward shots against him. Where he gets into trouble though is when he is forced to guard other versatile big men on the perimeter. Anderson isn’t quick to close out on perimeter shots, and often he isn’t under control when he does, so a strong head fake is enough to take him out of position and beat him off the dribble.

Though there is plenty of room for improvement, Anderson shows great potential as a face the basket, floor spacing power forward. There is always room in the NBA for players like that, especially guys who are tough, smart and play for the team the way Anderson does.

**cpawfan** · 10-28-2007, 07:43 PM

Interesting that DX is saying he needs to bulk up to play in the NBA and Anderson is saying he spent the summer slimming down and focusing on getting quicker.

**HKF** · 02-03-2008, 03:23 PM

No one is talking about this guy, but at his size and his versatility, he is a really intriguing prospect. He's obviously a PF that can face the basket, but someone who can shoot and rebound that is 6'10 is always going to be good addition to any NBA team. He destroyed the two Washington schools and Robbi Cowgill and Jon Brockman are pretty good players.

This guy is playing the best (next to Kevin Love) in the Pac-10 this season.

**RebelSun** · 02-03-2008, 03:43 PM

His sustained level of production has been impressive. Lack of defense probably keeps him on the NBA bench, though. Great outside shot for 6'9/6'10. It'll be interesting to see what happens next year without Hardin, if he does return.

TucsonClip · 02-17-2008, 09:56 AM

Anderson needs to get out of Cal after this season. Ben Braun is not going to get Cal into the tournament, and if he cant do it with a Pac-10 POY caliber guy on his team, he sure as heck isnt going to be able to do it next year with a less talented team.

Anderson is a first round pick in my book this year and he is a good player that has gone relatively unnoticed in the Pac-10 for almost 2 years now.

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