James Anderson, who will make an official basketball recruiting visit to tradition-rich Kansas University this weekend, comes from a hoops-rich area himself.
Anderson, a 6-foot-6, 190-pound guard/forward, hails from Junction City, Ark. – located 11 miles from the Summerfield, La., home of Karl Malone and 15 miles from the Bernice, La., haven of Willis Reed.
“Those are a couple of well known players,” said Junction City High coach Joe Hammett, who may be coaching a future pro in Anderson, who will play college ball at either KU, Arkansas, Florida or Oklahoma State.
“James is a special one. He is excited about visiting Kansas,” Hammett added. “The tradition they have. … Don’t hold me to it, but I think they will be rated No. 1 or 2 in the country. That’s pretty special right there.”
Anderson is coming off a phenomenal junior season in which he averaged 31 points, 12 rebounds, 3.5 assists and three blocks per game for 27-6 Junction City High, which fell in the quarterfinals of the state tournament.
“Night in and out, no matter if things are going good or bad, he is one of those kids who will start out with his motor running and end that way,” Hammett said. “He is a special kid.
“Definitely he is a scorer. He shoots the ball from the outside and can put it on the floor and take you to the basket. He’s very versatile, good enough to bring it up and play point, yet plays the wing for our team. He handles it well, passes, shoots well, rebounds and plays defense.”
Anderson, who averaged 29 points and 10 boards as a sophomore and excelled this past summer on the AAU circuit, already has visited Arkansas and will head to Florida for its season-opening basketball event next weekend. He’ll conclude his tour of colleges Oct. 20 at Okie State. He hopes to come up with a decision by the Nov. 8 start of the week-long early signing period.
“James is looking for a place he’s comfortable with, not just the coaching staff, but the players,” Hammett said.
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Henry to visit Memphis: Xavier Henry, a 6-6 guard/forward from Putnam City, Okla., will make an unofficial visit to Memphis for its season-opening basketball practice a week from today. Henry, who has visited KU several times, tells Rivals.com that KU, Texas, Memphis, North Carolina, Florida and Ohio State are his leaders.
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Boot Camp concludes: Boot Camp 2006 ended Thursday, and the players will have a lighter schedule between now and next Friday, the start of the season.
“I thought we did great as a team,” junior guard Rodrick Stewart said. “I did a lot better than I expected. I was more prepared this year, making sure I was very hydrated, made sure I got my rest. Every night I’d go to sleep at 10 instead of playing video games.”
Coach Bill Self said the team was in good physical condition for this stage of the preseason.
