Justin Anderson (basketball)

Justin Anderson
Born	(1993-11-19) November 19, 1993
Occupation	Professional basketball player
Known for	Playing for multiple NBA teams and European clubs

Justin Lamar Anderson (born November 19, 1993) is a professional American basketball athlete currently competing for Dubai Basketball in both the ABA League and EuroLeague. Prior to turning professional, he played collegiate basketball with the Virginia Cavaliers. Anderson was selected 21st overall in the 2015 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks.

High school career

During his senior year at Montrose Christian School, Anderson posted averages of 17.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.6 blocks per contest. His outstanding performance earned him multiple accolades, notably the Gatorade Maryland Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Additionally, he was recognized as a Top 100 recruit by both ESPN and Rivals.com.

College career

Anderson initially committed to play for the Maryland Terrapins, but after the retirement of coach Gary Williams, he redirected his commitment to Virginia. He formalized this decision by signing a National Letter of Intent on November 12, 2011.

In his first two seasons at Virginia, Anderson contributed primarily as a reserve, earning the ACC Sixth Man of the Year award during his sophomore campaign. Following the departure of starter Joe Harris, Anderson was promoted to the starting lineup; however, an injury coupled with an appendectomy sidelined him for eight regular-season games. He returned in time for the ACC tournament and delivered career-best offensive performances, which led to him being named second-team All-ACC and third-team All-American by the NABC. On April 13, 2015, Anderson declared for the NBA draft, opting to forgo his senior season.

Dallas Mavericks (2015–2017)

Anderson was chosen by the Dallas Mavericks with the 21st pick in the first round of the 2015 NBA draft on June 25, 2015. He participated in the 2015 NBA Summer League, where he averaged 17.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 steals across six games. On August 1, 2015, he secured a two-year rookie contract worth $3 million with Dallas. Anderson made his NBA debut on October 28, 2015, contributing two points and one rebound in a 111–95 victory against the Phoenix Suns. He recorded a then season-high of 11 points on flawless shooting during a November 10 game versus the New Orleans Pelicans. By February 5, 2016, he surpassed this mark with a new season-best of 13 points against the San Antonio Spurs. On April 8, he achieved his first career double-double by scoring 19 points and pulling down 10 rebounds in a triumph over the Memphis Grizzlies. Throughout his rookie year, Anderson experienced several assignments to Dallas' NBA Development League team, the Texas Legends.

Returning for the 2016 NBA Summer League in July, Anderson posted averages of 16.0 points, seven rebounds, and 2.6 assists over five games. On November 9 of that year, he delivered a season-high performance featuring 16 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in a loss to the Golden State Warriors. Later on January 22, 2017, Anderson reached a new season peak by scoring 19 points during a commanding 122–73 win against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Philadelphia 76ers (2017–2018)

On February 23, 2017, Anderson was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, along with Andrew Bogut and a protected first-round draft pick, in exchange for Nerlens Noel. On March 3, he tied his career-best by scoring 19 points, including a decisive basket, leading to a 105–102 victory over the New York Knicks. He matched this 19-point output again three days later during a 112–98 defeat against the Milwaukee Bucks, and repeated the feat on March 17 in a commanding 116–74 win over his former team, the Dallas Mavericks. In the final game of the season on April 12, Anderson delivered a 26-point performance in a tight 114–113 loss to the Knicks.

On April 11, 2018, Anderson achieved a season-high of 25 points and grabbed six rebounds during a victory versus the Milwaukee Bucks.

Atlanta Hawks (2018–2019)

Anderson was traded to the Atlanta Hawks on July 25, 2018, as part of a three-team transaction involving the 76ers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. On March 31, 2019, he recorded season-best figures with 24 points and 12 rebounds in a thrilling 136–135 overtime win over the Milwaukee Bucks. The Hawks chose not to exercise Anderson's contract extension option on June 29, 2019, subsequently making him an unrestricted free agent.

Raptors 905 (2019–2020)

On September 26, 2019, Anderson signed with the Washington Wizards for training camp but was waived on October 16 following four preseason appearances. Subsequently, on November 25, 2019, he was claimed off waivers by the Raptors 905.

Brooklyn Nets (2020)

Anderson inked a ten-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets on January 6, 2020; however, he was released on January 15.

Return to Raptors 905 (2020)

After his brief stint with Brooklyn concluded, Anderson returned to play for Raptors 905.

Long Island Nets (2020)

On January 21, 2020, Raptors 905 traded Anderson to the Long Island Nets in exchange for Henry Ellenson.

Return to Brooklyn (2020)

Anderson re-signed with the Nets on July 18, 2020, for the remainder of the 2019–20 NBA season.

On December 3, Anderson secured a partially guaranteed two-year contract worth $4 million with the Philadelphia 76ers, but was waived following training camp.

Cleveland Cavaliers / Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2021)

The Fort Wayne Mad Ants acquired Anderson’s rights via trade from Long Island Nets on September 23, 2021. He signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Indiana Pacers on October 15 but was waived the next day and subsequently joined the Mad Ants. Over 11 games there, he averaged 14.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and one steal across an average of 33.8 minutes per contest.

On December 21, 2021, Anderson signed a ten-day contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Indiana Pacers / Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2022–2023)

Anderson signed a ten-day contract with the Indiana Pacers on January 1, 2022. After it expired on January 11, he returned to play for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. He later signed two more ten-day contracts with Indiana on March 17 and March 28 of that year.

On October 24, 2022, Anderson rejoined Fort Wayne Mad Ants for training camp.

Río Breogán (2023)

On October 25, 2023, Anderson embarked on his first European basketball venture by signing with Río Breogán, competing in both Spain’s top-tier Liga ACB and the Basketball Champions League.

Valencia Basket (2023–2024)

Anderson inked a deal with Valencia Basket on December 24, 2023, marking his debut in the EuroLeague while competing in Spain's Liga ACB. His tenure with the club concluded on July 9, 2024.

FC Barcelona (2024–2025)

On July 25, 2024, Anderson secured a one-year contract with FC Barcelona, valid until June 30, 2025. Throughout the 2024-25 ACB season, he was honored as Player of the Round in round 14 after delivering a 25-point performance against Bàsquet Girona. FC Barcelona confirmed his exit following the expiration of his contract on June 30, 2025.

Dubai Basketball (2025–present)

Anderson signed with Dubai Basketball on June 17, 2025, joining the team participating in both the ABA League and the EuroLeague.

Regular season

|- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Dallas | 55 || 9 || 11.8 || .406 || .265 || .800 || 2.4 || .5 || .3 || .5 || 3.8 |- | style="text-align:left;" rowspan="2"| | style="text-align:left;"| Dallas | 51 || 2 || 13.9 || .402 || .303 || .795 || 2.9 || .6 || .5 || .3 || 6.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia | 24 || 8 || 21.6 || .466 || .292 || .780 || 4.0 || 1.4 || .5 || .3 || 8.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Philadelphia | 38 || 0 || 13.7 || .431 || .330 || .737 || 2.4 || .7 || .4 || .2 || 6.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Atlanta | 48 || 4 || 9.6 || .408 || .312 || .743 || 1.8 || .5 || .5 || .3 || 3.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"| | style="text-align:left;"| Brooklyn | 10 || 1 || 10.7 || .263 || .207 || .500 || 2.1 || .8 || .0 || .6|| 2.8 |- | style="text-align:left;" rowspan="2"| | style="text-align:left;"| Cleveland | 3||0||15.7|| .500|| .333|| .750||2.0||2.0||.3||0||4.3 |- | style="text-align:left;" |Indiana |13||6||20.7||.368||.245|| .800||3.1||2.1||.5||0.5||6.8 |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career |242||30||13.6||.410||.292||.775||2.6||0.8||0.4||0.3||5.3

Playoffs

|- | style="text-align:left;" |2016 | style="text-align:left;" |Dallas |5||1||19.0||.459||0.308||0.643|||4.0|||1.4|||0.8|||0.6|||9.4 |- |- |style="text-align:left;" |2018 |- |style="text-align:left;" |Philadelphia |- |7|||0|||4.7|||0.375|||0.286|||-|||1.3|||0|||0.1|||0|||1.1 |- |- |style="text-align:left;" |2020 |- |style="text-align:left;" |Brooklyn |- |3|||0|||9.3|||0.417|||.455|||.1000|||2.7|||1|||0|||0..3|||6..3 |- class= "sortbottom" |- |style= "text-align:center" colspan= "2" |Career |- |15|||1|||10..4|||..439|||..355|||..755|||2..5|||..7|||..3|||..3|||4..9

EuroLeague

|- | style="text-align:left;"| 2023–24 | style="text-align:left;"| Valencia | 18 || 11 || 18.6 || .457 || .333 || .692 || 2.2 || .6 || .4 || .2 || 6.1 || 3.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"| 2024–25 | style="text-align:left;"| Barcelona | 37 || 18 || 19.3 || .626 || .413 || .881 || 2.8 || 1.4 || .7 || .3 || 7.1 || 8.5 |- class="sortbottom" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Overall | 55 || 29 || 19.1 || .609 || .383 || .836 || 2.6 || 1.1 || .6 || .3 || 6.8 || 6.9

Domestic leagues

style="text-align:left;" |2014–15 NCAA Division I men's basketball season style="text-align:left;" |Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team 26 style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Total career 98

Season	Club	Competition
2023–24	style="text-align:left;" | CB Breogán	style="text-align:center;" |Liga ACB	8	24.0	.367	.278	.893	3.0	2.0	1.5	1.0	11.6
2023–24 ACB season	style="text-align:left;" | Valencia Basket	style="text-align:center;" |Liga ACB	19	20.5	.448	.393	.919	2.3	1.2	.7	.5	8.5
2024–25 ACB season	style="text-align:left;" | FC Barcelona Bàsquet	style="text-align:center;" |Liga ACB	33	19.2	.489	.474	.879	2.6	.7	.3	.3	8.3 College
2012–13 NCAA Division I men's basketball season	Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team	35	17	24.0	.420	.303	.764	3.3	2.3	0.9	1.2	7.6
2013–14 NCAA Division I men's basketball season	Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team	37	5	21.5	.407	.294	.716	3.2	1.5	0.4	0.8	7.8
23	27.8	.466	.452	.780	4.0	1.7	0.7	0.5	12.2
45	24.1	.430	.357	.752	3.5		1.8		0.6		0.9		8.9 Personal life Anderson is the child of Kim and Edward Anderson II, and has an older sister named Eurisha as well as a brother, Edward III, who played collegiate basketball at the University of Mary Washington. Community involvement Anderson belongs to the group called the "Starting Five," which includes Malcolm Brogdon, Joe Harris, Anthony Tolliver, and Garrett Temple. Their goal was to collect $225,000 through the Hoops2O initiative, founded by Brogdon, to construct five wells in East Africa by the conclusion of the 2018–19 NBA season. In July 2019, Anderson accompanied Brogdon and Harris to Tanzania for the inauguration of their first well project. By November of that year, Hoops2O had secured close to $400,000 in donations, and by February 2020, they had funded ten wells throughout Tanzania and Kenya, delivering clean drinking water to more than 52,000 individuals. External links Profile at Virginia Cavaliers