2015 NBA Draft results: Justin Anderson picked by Dallas Mavericks
One of college basketball’s best surprises in 2014-15 is now a first-rounder.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Virginia's Justin Anderson has been selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the 21st pick of the 2015 NBA Draft. The versatile junior wing showed enough improvement in his three years under Tony Bennett to earn first-round pick status.
Standing at 6'6, but with plenty of length and athleticism to guard bigger players, Anderson was a difference-maker at the college level and a big reason why the Cavaliers' pack-line defense was so successful. It's his improvement on offense, however, which drew the attention of several teams. After Joe Harris left school for the NBA, Anderson took on a bigger role and did well, getting better numbers on most statistical categories and showing he was not just a one-way player, and became the first Virginia player taken in the first round in decades.
Anderson was terrific during the early days of the season, but he suffered a couple of injuries that helped derail the Cavaliers, who were neck-and-neck with Kentucky in record and per-possession efficiency into conference play, and Virginia lost early in the ACC Tournament. Things didn't improve in the NCAA Tournament, as Virginia bowed out in the round of 32 after making the Sweet 16 in 2014. His college career didn't end with a bang, but Anderson proved he was among the best at that level.
Austin Ngaruiya of Mavs Moneyball, SB Nation's Mavericks blog, says Anderson should immediately give Dallas an element that was lacking throughout last season.
He’s used to being the go-to guy, so he should be able to come in and produce right away. Put Anderson on the floor and he’ll be able to knock down shots. Think back to the Mavs roster last year -- they didn’t really have that many shooters. There was Dirk, Chandler Parsons, Richard Jefferson, Devin Harris and, that’s about it. The Mavs desperately needed a player that was tall and could shoot threes. That’s Anderson.
Anderson fits the Mavs' analytics-friendly approach well as a potential 3-and-D wing who made 45 percent of his threes last season. He also provides insurance as a shooting guard should Monta Ellis choose to depart the Lone Star State in free agency, but, as an upperclassman, doesn't do much to help make an aging Dallas roster younger.
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