If there is a player anywhere that loves the game of basketball and the opportunity to play the game, Braeden Anderson (Class of 2011, Wilbraham and Monson Academy, Mass.) would be tough to beat.
The former DePaul-commit is enjoying the attention of some of the nation’s best teams, which includes Kansas, UCLA, and, yours truly, Kentucky.
While he doesn’t have any of his teams numerically listed, Anderson knows those three teams have the upper-hand right now.
“Kentucky, Kansas, and UCLA are my upper echelon of teams. They are all big name schools and one of the teams you dream about playing on when you are little. It’s hard not to highly consider them and maybe even go there,” he explained.
That response also explains his high interest and consideration in the Wildcats.
“I am very interested in Kentucky. I really can vision myself playing there. I just need to keep working my tail off to get better,”Anderson said like many recruits do. But he also added some things that fail to be heard often. “I want to be able to add another player to their roster and play my role so we could be successful,” he said referring to his team play.
But this also brings up new questions…
How can you contribute to Kentucky?
“I think I could be the versatile player that Kentucky and Coach Calipari want. I feel like a fill that specific role. I also can be an impact player from both ends of the court.”
How would you fit in the dribble-drive offense?
“I definitely think I can play in (the dribble-drive). But I have to keep getting better and improving on my skills.”
We already have other “big-name” forwards (Wiltjer, Davis, Gilchrist), so how would they affect you?
“I know about all the top players coming to Kentucky and people have talked to me about it. I’m totally on board about playing with them. I’m not intimidated by any of them, either (as he also told Kenny Payne). I just want to be ready when I get my chance, no matter where it is for that matter.”
Pretty impressive answers, huh?
It’s not surprising this youngster has a good head on his shoulders, as shown. There is another reason colleges are out looking for this guy.
Anderson also is getting interest from Georgia, Washington State, Cal, and Miami, as they have all offered him scholarships.
“Everybody (recruiting me) is showing the same kind of interest levels right now. They’re all coming to see me, so I can’t really choose a team recruiting me the hardest right now. It’s hard to tell in recruiting anyway,” Anderson said.
“Kentucky is really staying in touch with me, but the process is early.” He continued to say, “I really hope they are interested in me, but recruiting is a business, and I respectfully understand that.”
[B]Anderson also mentioned that Kentucky called him last week to discuss many things.
Kansas also called him Monday night and informed him they would attend a workout on Thursday.[/B]
Kenny Payne (who is talking to Anderson right now) needs to get to Massachusetts to watch him play soon.
On the flip side, Kentucky needs to host the Canadian to an official visit to the great Lexington, Kentucky and Rupp Arena.
While Anderson doesn’t have anything definite right now, he does have hopes of getting to Kentucky to visit.
“I would like to take a visit, and I am also trying to participate in the Kentucky Derby Basketball Classic as well. I talked to one of the guys that run it the other day and he told me he would try to get me down for the game.”
What a great way to throw him into the Kentucky atmosphere.
Anderson also rejoiced of Kentucky’s great atmosphere and fanbase, and said “it really factors in where you want to go.”
With time running down for Anderson, along with other 2011 recruits to make a college decision, many people are interested to hear when they will announce the destination of their school.
“I want to take some visits when everyone is done with March Madness, but hopefully I will be committed and ready to go by the end of March and the first week of April at the latest.”
Kentucky fans will anxiously be awaiting to hear where Braeden Anderson and fellow senior Trevor Lacey will end up.
Surely Coach Cal gets one, right?
Follow Garrett Tucker on Twitter [URL=”http://twitter.com/GTuckersports”]@GTuckersports[/URL] for more info on Kentucky and basketball recruiting.
