After a disastrous last season, new UCLA head coach Steve Alford finally has something to build with in the form of former Top 5 high school talent Kyle Anderson, who decided to return for his sophomore season.
The 6’9 and 230lb forward was being compared to Magic Johnson prior to beginning his collegiate career because he can play almost any position on the floor, including point guard.
But he struggled a bit to find his niche last season under then coach Ben Howland, who had beaten out Kentucky to reel in the nation’s #1 ranked recruiting class led by Anderson and Shabazz Muhammed.
Anderson, also known as “Slo Mo” for his rather methodical style of play, averaged 9.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in being named to the All Pac-12 2nd Team as a freshman. But on the flip side, Anderson struggled with his shot, shooting a surprising .416% from the field and 20% from behind the arc as the Bruins rebounded late to finish with a 25-10 mark, losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Now as the 2013-2014 season has begun, Anderson finds himself projected as a fringe 1st Round NBA Draft pick, but questions remain about his athleticism and ability to lead a team.
Thanks to Anderson and fellow sophomore standout Jordan Adams, the Bruins have jumped out to an early 4-0 record and may be one of the teams, along with Cal and Arizona State that may challenge Arizona for the Pac-12 Title this season.
Anderson was especially impressive against Colonial League favorite Towson, notching a triple-double(13 points, 12 reb, 11 ast) as UCLA remains unblemished on the season.
Is Kyle Anderson a 1st Round NBA talent?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvGQ3mCgpYo
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.