Another interview session is coming up. This time with German U18 national player and University of Michigan commit, Christian Anderson Jr. (2006 – 6’0″). The variable guard with great strengths in shot creation is about to enter his final high school season at Lovett School, before joining Juwan Howard and the Michigan Wolverines.
Give me some background — how long have you been playing basketball and when did you start taking it seriously?
My dad played overseas basketball in Germany and all over the world. He grew up in Germany. When I was very young, I grew up watching him play and so he did introduce me to the game. I was playing ever since I could walk and dribble. I was taught that if I want to play basketball, I should take it seriously and not waste my time.
As a German, you’re usually confronted with soccer first. Did you also try it?
I tried soccer for a year, but I don’t really like it. Like I said, I always grew up around Basketball. I also tried other sports but none of them gave me the satisfaction like Basketball.
When did you realize you could possibly get to the next level and get a college scholarship?
I mean my dad showed me back then where I actually want to be. From pretty young age my dad told me, when I will listen to him anything can happen for me. That means making it to college with a scholarship and also of course making it to the NBA, where I want to be.
For those, that are not familiar with your game. What kind of player are you, on which position do you see yourself in the future and what are your key strengths?
For me as a player I’ve been growing up to shoot the ball and also facilitate for my teammates, make them better. I like calling myself a scoring point guard. If I would compare myself to a player, I would name somebody like Stephen Curry or Trae Young. I do not model my game after somebody, I just try to be my own player, but for comparisons these names come to mind.
How was your summer with the national team last year?
Previously before that experience, I was in Germany last time when I was 5 years old and lived there and then moved to the states. When I had the opportunity to play for the german national team it was a great honor and I was very excited to go back, because I obviously could not remember a lot. The whole atmosphere and the whole everything, like food, like people is so different from the US. From a basketball standpoint playing in Germany and Europe was very fundamental. It is not a physical but a mental game. I feel like my dad raised and trained me to kind of play European style basketball, so for me it was easy to adjust to the European style. Overall, it was a great experience. Teammates, coaching stuff and everything was perfect!
What are you hoping to show your future Michigan coach Juwan Howard during next high school season?
I mean, he is watching my game since I am a freshman, 15 years old. I ve actually been talking to them once every week to check up and get their thoughts. The main thing I want to improve on is physical strength and try to lock up on defense. Simply being a more physical player. They know that I can score, but I want to show them to also lock up on defense.
What are some things you are focusing on in terms of getting ready for college and taking your game to the next level?
I mean my shooting is there, my IQ is there. Being faster in getting to spots than other people would make my game much more easier, would make the floor more open. I would say being faster and also being more vocal and being able to lead.
As already said, you committed already to the Wolverines. What are you most looking forward to in college?
I am excited to see what it will be like to see these players and feel the college game in action. People say it is more difficult, but I want to see it by myself. As far as not basketball and living on the college campus and things like that, I am really excited to see what It will be like all the new opportunities I will find and explore. I could say this Germany experience kind of made me feel I was living away from home, because we lived at dorms, woke up in the morning for practice, which is all kind of what we will doing at Michigan. I am just excited to see what everything will be like.
What are some of the things you like doing off the court?
My dad was an artist. He’s been drawing for a very long time and like basketball I also grew up seeing him draw. It became natural to me, so I really like to draw in my free time.
Let’s get back to high school. What are some of your goals for this season?
I mean this year I went player of the year for my division in Georgia. Next year my goal is to win Gatorade player of the year for Georgia, which means being the best player in my state. Obviously also to win a state championship, which would be the first in school history.
What was the biggest thing you learned during the last season?
I mean in freshman we had all-senior team and last season we had one senior and from now we also had a couple seniors. What I picked up is how to lead a team and how to make the best out of a situation when it doesn’t really seem anything good will come out of it.
Do you have any pre-game rituals or go-to hype music?
I wouldn’t say I got some go-to hype music or even ritual. What I try to do before every game is simply being mentally focused.
Will you be with the national team this summer again?
AAU and things like that is overlapping with national team. But definitely I try to be back for round 2 with German national team. It’s gonna be exciting.
At the end of the day, what would you hope to be remembered for?
I would hope to be remembered for, not just my shooting ability, but how far I can shoot it. Most people think I shoot a lot, but they don’t know that I can get my teammates involved and facilitate, which I showed this year. I want to be remembered for my all-around game and unique shooting ability.
