Eric Anderson (basketball)
Encyclopedia
Eric Walfred Anderson is a retired American
college
and professional basketball
player. He attended St. Francis DeSales High School on Chicago's far southeast side and was named 1988's Mr. Basketball for the state of Illinois
.
Anderson was named Most Outstanding Player of 1992 NCAA Tournament's West Regional after helping lead Indiana University
to the Final Four. He completed college career ranked sixth in scoring (1,715 points) and seventh in rebounding (826) in Indiana school history.
After his college career, the 6' 9" forward, who was not selected in the 1992 National Basketball Association Draft
, signed with the New York Knicks
for the 1992–93 NBA season, in which he played 16 games. He also played 11 games of the following season before being waived. He holds NBA career averages of 1.6 points and 1.1 rebounds per game, and was an all-time 2-for-2 from the three-point line
.
During his tenure with the Knicks, Anderson, who spent most of the time on the bench, was cheered for wildly by New York fans when inserted in the final minutes of a 114–79 blowout against the Boston Celtics
.
In January 1994, while a member of the Knicks, Anderson and Harold Ellis
of the Los Angeles Clippers
got involved in a seemingly bizarre shoving match at Madison Square Garden
. As the two players ran downcourt, Ellis threw a forearm for no apparent reason into Anderson's face. They exchanged shoves, and were both given technical fouls. Anderson later said of Ellis: "He was going crazy," and "I've never been involved in anything like that. I just got in the game. I'm a good guy. I have no idea why it happened."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
college
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
and professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player. He attended St. Francis DeSales High School on Chicago's far southeast side and was named 1988's Mr. Basketball for the state of Illinois
Illinois Mr. Basketball
Each year the Illinois Mr. Basketball award is given to the person chosen as the best high school boys basketball player in the U.S. state of Illinois....
.
Anderson was named Most Outstanding Player of 1992 NCAA Tournament's West Regional after helping lead Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
to the Final Four. He completed college career ranked sixth in scoring (1,715 points) and seventh in rebounding (826) in Indiana school history.
After his college career, the 6' 9" forward, who was not selected in the 1992 National Basketball Association Draft
1992 NBA Draft
The 1992 NBA Draft took place on June 24, 1992, in Portland, Oregon. At the time, the draft was considered to be one of the deepest drafts in NBA history. The top three picks were considered can't-miss prospects. O'Neal and Mourning are likely Hall of Famers...
, signed with the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
for the 1992–93 NBA season, in which he played 16 games. He also played 11 games of the following season before being waived. He holds NBA career averages of 1.6 points and 1.1 rebounds per game, and was an all-time 2-for-2 from the three-point line
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...
.
During his tenure with the Knicks, Anderson, who spent most of the time on the bench, was cheered for wildly by New York fans when inserted in the final minutes of a 114–79 blowout against the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
.
In January 1994, while a member of the Knicks, Anderson and Harold Ellis
Harold Ellis
Harold Ellis is a retired American professional basketball player. A 6'5" guard from Morehouse College, Ellis was never drafted by an NBA team but did manage to play in 3 NBA seasons...
of the Los Angeles Clippers
Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers are a professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
got involved in a seemingly bizarre shoving match at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
. As the two players ran downcourt, Ellis threw a forearm for no apparent reason into Anderson's face. They exchanged shoves, and were both given technical fouls. Anderson later said of Ellis: "He was going crazy," and "I've never been involved in anything like that. I just got in the game. I'm a good guy. I have no idea why it happened."
External links
- Eric Anderson NBA stats @ basketballreference.com