Kyle Anderson 'likely' to move on
Updated: September 16, 2013, 3:59 PM ET
By Jeff Goodman | ESPN.com
UCLA sophomore Kyle Anderson and his family have decided that this will likely be his final season in college.
"Kyle has made great strides in his mental approach to the game and his work ethic since being at UCLA," his father, Kyle Anderson Sr., told ESPN.com. "The major deficiencies in his overall game are his lack of strength, quickness and explosion, and inconsistent shooting. We feel that both of which can be addressed more efficiently with more time and repetition. It's more than likely that it will be time for Kyle to move on at the end of this college season."
The pertinent question is not whether Kyle Anderson should set a deadline for his college career. Whatever. The real question is whether he can close the deal in time, Eamonn Brennan writes. Blog
Anderson played primarily off the ball last season for then-coach Ben Howland and averaged 9.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Multiple NBA executives told ESPN.com that Anderson -- who strongly considered leaving -- would have likely been selected somewhere in the first half of the second round had he departed college after last year.
The 2014 draft is much stronger, especially at the top. However, the 6-foot-9 New Jersey native is expected to play more at the point under new coach Steve Alford, although there's some uncertainty in that regard with freshman Bryce Alford -- Steve's son -- joining the team over the summer.
Anderson is a terrific passer whose athleticism, perimeter shot and ability to defend have been questioned. However, his distributing ability was masked last season as Howland decided to put the ball in Larry Drew II's hands much of the time.
The Bruins went 25-10 last season and lost to Minnesota in their first NCAA tournament game. They also lost first-round pick Shabazz Muhammad and Drew, but return Anderson, Jordan Adams, twins David Wear and Travis Wear, and big man Tony Parker.
Oklahoma State point guard Marcus Smart, who decided to return to Oklahoma State despite being a near-lock lottery pick, also has made it clear that, barring injury, he won't be returning beyond this season.
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"Kyle has made great strides in his mental approach to the game and his work ethic since being at UCLA," his father, Kyle Anderson Sr., told ESPN.com. "The major deficiencies in his overall game are his lack of strength, quickness and explosion, and inconsistent shooting. We feel that both of which can be addressed more efficiently with more time and repetition. It's more than likely that it will be time for Kyle to move on at the end of this college season."
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The pertinent question is not whether Kyle Anderson should set a deadline for his college career. Whatever. The real question is whether he can close the deal in time, Eamonn Brennan writes. BlogAnderson played primarily off the ball last season for then-coach Ben Howland and averaged 9.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Multiple NBA executives told ESPN.com that Anderson -- who strongly considered leaving -- would have likely been selected somewhere in the first half of the second round had he departed college after last year.
The 2014 draft is much stronger, especially at the top. However, the 6-foot-9 New Jersey native is expected to play more at the point under new coach Steve Alford, although there's some uncertainty in that regard with freshman Bryce Alford -- Steve's son -- joining the team over the summer.
Anderson is a terrific passer whose athleticism, perimeter shot and ability to defend have been questioned. However, his distributing ability was masked last season as Howland decided to put the ball in Larry Drew II's hands much of the time.
The Bruins went 25-10 last season and lost to Minnesota in their first NCAA tournament game. They also lost first-round pick Shabazz Muhammad and Drew, but return Anderson, Jordan Adams, twins David Wear and Travis Wear, and big man Tony Parker.
Oklahoma State point guard Marcus Smart, who decided to return to Oklahoma State despite being a near-lock lottery pick, also has made it clear that, barring injury, he won't be returning beyond this season.
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Report: Kyle Anderson ‘likely’ to turn pro after this year
The season hasn’t started, but we’ve had another player announce his intentions to turn pro after the season.
Kyle Anderson’s father all but told ESPN’s Jeff Goodman that he will be heading to the NBA after the season. Both Marcus Smart and Jahii Carson made similar statements already this offseason.
“It’s more than likely that it will be time for Kyle to move on at the end of this college season,” he said.
Anderson is a slow-footed but extremely talented 6-foot-9 point forward. He averaged 9.7 points, 8.6 boards, 3.5 assists and 1.8 steals as a freshman, but he did much of it while playing off the ball and somewhat out of position. Anderson, who was a top three recruit in the Class of 2012, ended up returning to school for his sophomore season. He considered entering the draft, but he was a long way from being a lock to go in the first round.
“Kyle has made great strides in his mental approach to the game and his work ethic since being at UCLA,” Kyle Sr. told ESPN.com. “The major deficiencies in his overall game are his lack of strength, quickness and explosion, and inconsistent shooting. … We feel that both of which can be addressed more efficiently with more time and repetition.”
Where Anderson’s season gets really intriguing is that under new UCLA coach Steve Alford, he could end up being the Bruin’s point guard given the lack of a lead guard on their roster. Anderson is a talented creator, but with Larry Drew II shouldering the point guard load last year, it forced Anderson off the ball. He proved himself to be a better rebounder and playmaker defensively than some expected, but that’s not the strength of his game.
Anderson is currently projected as a late-second round pick by Draft Express. It will be interesting to see where he is slotted if he has a big year.
Thanks to George McFly for posting this on BZ.
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| Getty Images |
The season hasn’t started, but we’ve had another player announce his intentions to turn pro after the season.
Kyle Anderson’s father all but told ESPN’s Jeff Goodman that he will be heading to the NBA after the season. Both Marcus Smart and Jahii Carson made similar statements already this offseason.
“It’s more than likely that it will be time for Kyle to move on at the end of this college season,” he said.
Anderson is a slow-footed but extremely talented 6-foot-9 point forward. He averaged 9.7 points, 8.6 boards, 3.5 assists and 1.8 steals as a freshman, but he did much of it while playing off the ball and somewhat out of position. Anderson, who was a top three recruit in the Class of 2012, ended up returning to school for his sophomore season. He considered entering the draft, but he was a long way from being a lock to go in the first round.
“Kyle has made great strides in his mental approach to the game and his work ethic since being at UCLA,” Kyle Sr. told ESPN.com. “The major deficiencies in his overall game are his lack of strength, quickness and explosion, and inconsistent shooting. … We feel that both of which can be addressed more efficiently with more time and repetition.”
Where Anderson’s season gets really intriguing is that under new UCLA coach Steve Alford, he could end up being the Bruin’s point guard given the lack of a lead guard on their roster. Anderson is a talented creator, but with Larry Drew II shouldering the point guard load last year, it forced Anderson off the ball. He proved himself to be a better rebounder and playmaker defensively than some expected, but that’s not the strength of his game.
Anderson is currently projected as a late-second round pick by Draft Express. It will be interesting to see where he is slotted if he has a big year.
Thanks to George McFly for posting this on BZ.
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