Height (w/ shoes): 6’6.25
Weight: 231
Wingspan: 6’11.75
No Step Vert: 38.0
Max Vert: 43.0
Virginia’s star forward Justin Anderson is one name that will be linked to the Celtics in the coming weeks. Coming off a freshmen year where Anderson was used as more of a reserve, he took center stage of the Cavaliers offense when Joe Harris departed, and never looked back. Offensively, his big body allows him to bully his way into the lane. With an ability to finish with both hands, and a huge wingspan this will be a strength with the extra spacing he’ll get at the next level. With a smaller floor in college, Anderson struggled to finish at times, and forced a lot of bad shots. That’s usually what happens to guys who are asked to be “the man” for this team, and with Boston, Stevens would allow him to be more patient when picking his spots. One of his main areas of improvement has been his perimeter shooting. During his freshmen year his mechanics were loose, and it led to him being a very inconsistent shooter. Last season, he did a great job making his form more compact, and quicker which allowed him to be a more efficient from beyond the arc shooting an impressive 45.2%. His improved jumper also helped him in other facets of his shooting such as catch and shoot opportunities and dribble hand-offs. Though he does have improved shot mechanics, he struggles to create room for himself, and isn’t creative with the ball. This is at times a very exaggerated skill, and in his case most of the times he did struggle to create where when he was trying to force his offense. As long as Anderson his patient with his scoring opportunities he’ll be a welcomed addition to our offense, and will really help spread the court offensively.
On the defensive end Anderson is no slouch either. He’s a versatile defender that has the physical profile to stick multiple positions on the floor something Brad Stevens loves. His defensive technique can be a little shaky at times, and he still has a lot to learn in terms of team defense as do all rookies. But his on-ball defense and physicality will get him on the floor early, and make him an ideal ‘3 and D’ candidate though he has the work ethic to be more than that.
In terms of positioning, Anderson is listed as an early 20’s late teens draft pick which puts him right in the middle of both of Celtics first round selections. If Celtics fall in love with his game, then they may just take him at 16 or trade back a couple of spots and acquire some assets before doing so. In an Eastern Conference that has LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Paul George, and Jimmy Butler, it wouldn’t hurt to have another versatile defender.
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