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Kyle Anderson on draft night

Published on Jun 28, 2014

San Antonio Spurs Kyle Anderson on draft night. This video is a clip from a full documentary on Kyle Anderson journey to the NBA. Follow me for more info and pics twitter/IG @micjacksmo5. Thanks to sydbruin for posting this on BZ.

UCLA Basketball Produces Three First-Round NBA Draft Picks

UCLA's Jordan Adams, Zach LaVine and Kyle Anderson were first-round selections.

Courtesy: UCLA Athletics

Courtesy: UCLA Athletics
Release: Thursday 06/26/2014

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UCLA’s Zach LaVine, Jordan Adams and Kyle Anderson were chosen in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft on Thursday, hosted at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. This marked the second time in program history in which at least three UCLA players were taken in the first round (also 1979).

LaVine was selected No. 13 by the Minnesota Timberwolves, becoming the program’s highest draft pick since 2008, when Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love were chosen No. 4 and No. 5, respectively. LaVine will join former UCLA standouts Kevin Love, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Shabazz Muhammad on Minnesota’s roster.

Adams was drafted No. 22 by the Memphis Grizzlies, and Anderson was chosen No. 30 by the defending NBA champion San Antonio Spurs.

UCLA was the only school to have produced at least three first-round NBA Draft selections in this season's draft. UCLA and Michigan (two first-round, one second-round pick) were the only programs in the nation that produced three overall draft picks.

The three UCLA selections helped push the Bruins’ all-time NBA Draft total to 112 picks. The Bruins have had at least one player selected in 16 of the last 18 NBA Drafts (spanning 1997 through 2014), logging 26 selections in the past 18 seasons.

UCLA’s 1979 team was the first in Westwood to produce at least three first-round selections. That season’s team saw David Greenwood (No. 2 overall), Roy Hamilton (No. 10) and Brad Holland (No. 14) selected by the Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Lakers, respectively.

In addition, UCLA has now produced multiple first-round draft picks in nine NBA Drafts (1969, 1971, 1974, 1979, 1995, 2008, 2009 and 2014). Most recently, UCLA had Jrue Holiday (No. 17 overall) and Darren Collison (No. 21) selected in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft. One year prior, Westbrook and Love were chosen as No. 4 and No. 5, respectively.

LaVine, a 6-foot-5 freshman guard from Seattle, averaged 9.4 points and 2.5 rebounds per game in 2013-14 as one of five players to earn Pac-12 All-Freshman Team honors. LaVine played in all 37 games for the Bruins, shooting 44.1 percent overall and 37.5 percent from three-point range.

Adams, a 6-foot-5 guard from Atlanta, averaged 16.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game in two seasons, totaling 1,131 points (currently ranks No. 43 overall on UCLA’s all-time scoring list). Among the Bruins’ most reliable scorers the last two years, Adams set the program’s single-season steals record with 95 steals in 2013-14. He connected on 33.1 percent of his three-point attempts (98-296). In addition, Adams converted 83.9 percent of his career free throw shots (287-342).

Anderson, a 6-foot-9 guard/forward from Fairview, N.J., developed into one of college basketball’s most dynamic and versatile players last season. He averaged 12.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game in 71 career contests (70 starts). Anderson totaled 24 career double-doubles, including a Pac-12-leading 16 double-doubles in 2013-14. Last season, he became UCLA’s first player since 1995 to record a triple-double (and the fourth player in school history to compile a triple-double).

LaVine, Anderson and Adams played major roles in helping UCLA’s 2013-14 squad finish 28-9 overall, win the Pac-12 Tournament title and advance to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 for the first time since 2008. As freshmen in 2012-13, Anderson and Adams guided the Bruins to the Pac-12 Conference’s regular-season title and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

UCLA's Kyle Anderson Declares for NBA Draft

Courtesy: UCLA Athletics
Release: Wednesday 04/16/2014

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LOS ANGELES – UCLA men’s basketball sophomore Kyle Anderson has elected to forego his remaining collegiate eligibility and enter the 2014 NBA Draft.

Anderson secured first-team All-Pac-12 honors and was named a third-team Associated Press All-America selection as a sophomore in 2013-14. He averaged closer to a triple-double than any player in the nation, registering 14.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game. Anderson helped lead UCLA to a 28-9 overall record and the program’s first Pac-12 Tournament title and NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance since 2008.

“I want to thank everyone at UCLA for all they have done for me,” said Anderson. “My two years at UCLA were two of the best years of my life. It was a tough decision to make with my family since our last game, but I have decided to enter my name into the NBA Draft. I will still continue to embrace the UCLA community, and I hope they will do the same with me.

“I would also like to thank Coach Alford for everything he has done for both the team and me this year in so little time. Coach Alford worked hard at getting to know all of us from the outset and created a family atmosphere that was fun to be a part of. He helped me develop as a leader on and off the court, and I appreciate him giving me every opportunity to succeed.”

Anderson became the first player in Pac-12 history to record at least 200 rebounds and 200 assists in the same season. He finished his sophomore year having logged 527 points, 315 rebounds and 233 assists, becoming the fourth player in school history to have logged at least one triple-double. Anderson’s total of 233 assists ranks third on the school’s single-season list.

“We are all very happy for Kyle, who has a terrific opportunity to fulfill his lifelong dream of playing in the NBA,” UCLA head coach Steve Alford said. “I know I speak for all of our coaches and players when I say his efforts here at UCLA were greatly appreciated. I’ve said time and again that Kyle was the best point guard in the country this past season. He had a tremendous year, helping lead us to the Sweet 16 and a Pac-12 Tournament championship. I firmly believe Kyle will have a long and productive NBA career and everyone involved with UCLA basketball wishes him the best.”

A 6-foot-9 guard from Fairview, N.J., Anderson played in 71 games (70 starts) for UCLA over two seasons, guiding the Bruins to the 2013 Pac-12 regular-season title, the 2014 Pac-12 Tournament championship and back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. He averaged 12.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists in two seasons, shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three-point range.

Anderson’s shooting percentage greatly improved during his sophomore season. His overall field goal percentage increased from 41.6 percent as a freshman to 48.0 percent as a sophomore, while his three-point field goal percentage jumped from 21.1 percent to 48.3 percent.

As a sophomore, Anderson led the Pac-12 with 16 double-doubles. He also finished the season as the Pac-12’s only player to rank in the conference’s top five in assists per game (1st, 6.5), rebounds (3rd, 8.8) and steals (3rd, 1.8) while ranking 13th in scoring (14.6 ppg).

The 2014 NBA Draft will begin at 4 p.m. (PT) on Thursday, June 26 in New York City.

Momentum may be hard to sustain for UCLA basketball program

Bruins made strides in Coach Steve Alford's first season, reaching NCAA Sweet 16. But departure of key players Kyle Anderson, Zach LaVine could hinder progress.

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UCLA Coach Steve Alford might have a big recruiting job this year if sophomore guard Jordan Adams (3) joins teammates Kyle Anderson and Zach LaVine in testing the NBA draft. (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images / March 27, 2014)

By Chris Foster

LA Times

March 28, 2014, 6:00 p.m.

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Moving the UCLA basketball program forward is going to be tricky.

The Bruins had a good season, reaching an NCAA regional semifinal for the first time since 2008 and pushing top-ranked Florida to the final minutes. For two days in Memphis — pregame and postgame — Coach Steve Alford talked about the "foundation" that was built.

Less than 24 hours later, though, that foundation already had a crack.

Freshman guard Zach LaVine will declare for the NBA draft, his family said Friday. LaVine had said he was undecided following the Bruins' 79-68 loss to Florida on Thursday night.

That follows Kyle Anderson Sr.'s comment three weeks ago that his son, sophomore point guard Kyle Anderson Jr., was "done" at UCLA and would declare for the NBA draft.

Sophomore guard Jordan Adams is also mulling a jump to NBA.

Adams and Anderson, both first-team All-Pac-12 Conference selections, were UCLA's leading scorers this season. LaVine was the Bruins' top scorer off the bench.

Alford's recruiting acumen will now be judged by how many of his own players he can keep. He did very well guiding what former coach Ben Howland had left for him.

"I'm really happy what this program did," guard Norman Powell said. "We had a first-year coach and we put in a lot of effort. This program changed in just one year. The whole culture is different. It's a family atmosphere. Our coaches are very competitive and they made us competitive."

Moving forward, Powell, a junior, got an up-close look at a model to emulate. Florida is big and athletic, and has a roster deep in talent. The Gators survived several minutes in the second half with two senior starters — forward Casey Prather and center Patric Young — on the bench in foul trouble.

"They have veteran guys who have been here before," Powell said. "They weren't going to get out of character and give up their basketball team."

For the Bruins to develop that, underclassmen would have to stay in school. At least two probably won't.

Anderson is expected to be chosen in the lower half of the NBA draft's first round. He pushed and prodded the Bruins to a Pac-12 tournament championship, averaging 14.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists.

LaVine, who at 6-feet-6 is both fast and explosive, has been projected as an NBA lottery pick in a mock draft published by NBA.com. Although he started only one game for the Bruins, he showed flashes of great potential. However, his shot selection was poor at times and his defense was a work in progress.

LaVine shot only 38% during Pac-12 play. That dipped to 31% in six postseason games.

If Adams also chooses to turn pro, the Bruins would lose a creative scorer and sneaky defender. He led the team in scoring (17.4) and steals (2.6). Adams is projected as a second-round pick.

UCLA could have five significant holes to fill if Anderson, LaVine and Adams all move on. The Bruins also lose twin brothers David and Travis Wear, both seniors.

Point guard is the linchpin spot. Bryce Alford spelled Anderson at the point this season but is not a natural at the position.

Noah Allen, a freshman whose season was slowed by injury, is a shooting guard, as is redshirt Isaac Hamilton.

The Wears are 6-10, but the Bruins might actually be getting bigger rather than smaller.

Coming in are Kevon Looney, a 6-foot-9 forward from Milwaukee Hamilton High; Gyorgy Goloman, a 6-10 forward from Hungary by way of Weston (Fla.) Sagemont High; and Thomas Welsh, a 7-0 center from Los Angeles Loyola High. Jonah Bolden, a 6-8 forward from Henderson (Nev.) Findlay Prep, has committed but hasn't signed a letter of intent.

Steve Alford has acknowledged that UCLA "is full of history and tradition of excellence."

For most UCLA fans, the Sweet 16 was good enough. This year.

chris.foster@latimes.com

Twitter: @cfosterlatimes

Kyle Anderson, Zach LaVine to draft

By Jeff Goodman | ESPN.com

Updated: March 28, 2014, 6:28 PM ET

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UCLA will lose Kyle Anderson and Zach LaVine early to the NBA draft.

2014 NBA DRAFT

Which college stars are on their way to the draft? Who has one foot still in the door? Chad Ford breaks down the latest news. Who's in, out? 

• Lottery Mock Draft | NBA draft '14

Anderson's father told ESPN before the start of the season that his son would leave school after his sophomore year. He told ESPN after the Bruins' loss Thursday night to Florida in the Sweet 16 that Anderson will meet with the staff but that the plan hasn't changed.

LaVine's father, Paul, told the Los Angeles Daily News his son will forgo his remaining eligibility as well. (Coach Steve Alford told ESPN.com he has yet to be informed of a decision from LaVine or his family.)

Both players are considered potential first-round picks by NBA executives.

More from ESPN.com

Chad Ford, Kevin Pelton and Amin Elhassan do a 360-degree breakdown of UCLA freshman Zach LaVine, who has declared for the 2014 NBA draft. Story 

Anderson is a 6-foot-9 point guard who was extremely productive this season, averaging 14.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 36 games. Scouts have varying opinions on Anderson because of his unusual size for his position, but he's considered a late first-rounder by most who were contacted by ESPN.

LaVine is more about potential. He showed flashes while coming off the bench this season as a freshman, yet he was inconsistent. NBA executives are enamored with his upside, but LaVine scored a total of nine points in his final five games and was 0-for-10 from long range. He averaged 9.4 points per game as a freshman.

UCLA's Kyle Anderson a 'nightmare' matchup as 6-9 point guard

Josh Peter, Special for USA TODAY Sports5:23 p.m. EDT March 18, 2014         ARTICLE LINK

(Photo: Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Anderson had 21 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in UCLA's win vs. Arizona
• At 6 feet 9 inches, Anderson towers over most opposing point guards.
• The UCLA sophomore averages 14.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game

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"Slow mo," reporters cracked as UCLA's Kyle Anderson appeared to be in slow motion dribbling the ball up the court. Shooting guard, coaches declared when deciding where he belonged. Too emotional, critics hissed when he lost his temper and the ball.

Now look.

On Saturday, Anderson wore a huge grin and, around his neck, the nets UCLA's basketball team cut down after its 75-71 upset victory over Arizona in the championship game of the Pac-12 tournament. Playing where he apparently belonged all along, Anderson directed UCLA's offense and led the Bruins with 21 points, 15 rebounds and five assists.

"I mean, seriously, 21, 15, and 5 from your point guard?'' UCLA coach Steve Alford marveled after the game. "He's an amazing player, and he's proven it all year long.''

NCAA TOURNAMENT: Tip-sheet for March Madness

At 6 feet 9 inches, Anderson towers over most opposing point guards. He is languid but quick enough to lead the fast break. Thin but strong enough to fight for rebounds. Quicker to pass than shoot, but often light's out from 3-point range.

The results: He averages 14.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game — closer to a triple-double than any other player in the country, according to UCLA's research.

Anderson will have a chance to showcase his versatile skills Friday in the NCAA Tournament when No. 4 seed UCLA plays No. 13 seed Tulsa in the first round of the West Regional in San Diego. His father, Kyle Anderson Sr., will have to resist the urge to gloat.

The elder Anderson, a high school basketball coach in New Jersey, had spent years trying to mold his son into a point guard. So he privately stewed when coach Bobby Hurley Sr. used Anderson as a shooting guard at St. Anthony High School — "I was offended by that,'' he said — and continued to simmer when former UCLA coach Ben Howland did the same thing last season. Howland named senior Larry Drew the starting point guard, relegating Anderson to shooting guard and backup point guard.

He never complained either. In fact, he thrived.

Anderson led UCLA in rebounds with 8.6 per game, along with 9.7 points and 3.5 assists per game. But then out went Howland, in came Alford, and promptly Anderson was named the starting point guard.

THIRD TEAM G/F Kyle Anderson, So., UCLA.(Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)

Instead of seeing a player too slow, or a shooting guard of position, Alford saw something unorthodox but special.

"He's very unique,'' Alford said. "A 6-9 point guard that facilitates the way he can. He's a nightmare to match up with.''

BRACKET BRIEFING : 10 bold projections in NCAAs

Proving his worth at the position, Anderson was selected as one of six finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, presented annually to the nation's top point guard. He also earned All-Pac-12 honors.

The season has not been blemish-free. In late February, Anderson and teammate Jordan Adams were suspended for one game for violating an unspecified team rule. The transgression called into question Anderson's judgment.

But on the court, he demonstrated more maturity, evolving from a emotionally reactive freshman to a more composed sophomore.

"He's mellowed out this year,'' UCLA forward Tony Parker said.

Anderson grinned sheepishly when told of the observation. He confessed that his emotions get away from him, even though the ball gets away from him less frequently.

"That's just the way I am,'' he said. "But I think I've learned to control them a lot more this year. Last year I would let other teams, I would other things that don't really matter get in my head.''

It's been an ongoing process, Alford said.

"He was one leader in October, and he's a much, much better leader now than he was in October,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Anderson's father must resist the urge to gloat.

"It amazes me that people question his point guard skills,'' he said. "I'm the person who made him a point guard.''

At last given a chance, Kyle Anderson has proved he belongs there.