Michigan basketball ’24 pledge Christian Anderson Jr. continues to grow

In an era of flux and uncertainty for college basketball recruiting — and Michigan in particular — there have been a few constants. 

One — head coach Juwan Howard and his staff are going to mine the portal for talent whenever necessary. Like most schools, Michigan has had its share of NBA defections and transfers. The former can be chalked up to great development … Franz Wagner and Kobe Bufkin are two that come to mind. But losing someone like Hunter Dickinson to Kansas is a blow, and they’ve spent a lot of time trying to replace him. 

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Another — Atlanta Lovett’s (soon to be Oak Hill Academy’s) Christian Anderson Jr. While some kids have tested the waters looking for “better offers” or “more love,” Anderson Jr. has essentially flown under the radar since his Oct. 2021 pledge despite putting up huge numbers. He’s simply gone about his business sporting his maize and blue wherever he’s been, whether it’s in Atlanta, on the AAU circuit, or even overseas last year playing with Germany’s youth national team. 

As a result, he probably hasn’t gotten the attention he’s deserved. What he’s accomplished since his commitment alone: 

• Honored as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,572 points Jan. 9 — in his junior year. Anderson then scored a season high 40 (of his team’s 48) points in a 68-48 loss to Atlanta Pace, making 14 of 23 field goals. 

A month later, Anderson made 16 of 21 field goals, including 8 triples, and notched 46 points and 5 assists — a 95.2 percent eFG (effective field goal) percentage — in a win over Stockbridge (eFG takes into account the triple vs. the two-pointer).

• Led Lovett to a Class 4A Sweet 16 finish, averaging 26.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.1 apg while shooting 47.0 FG, 37.0 3FG and 86.0 FT. He also won Georgia 4A player of the year honors.

• Was named MVP of the FIBA under-16 European Championship after leading Germany to a gold medal in Bulgaria. Anderson averaged a team-high 16.5 points across the team’s eight games, all victories, and put up 25 in a two-point win over Sweden in the quarterfinals.

And he’s just getting started.

Howard seemed to realize that the first time he saw him play. The Michigan coach was blown away at the shooting display, and he offered a few months later.

“He took a chance on a 5-6, 110-pound kid,” his father, Christian Anderson Sr., a 6-7 former international player who spent time in several countries, said. 

And that’s one of the reasons they remain grateful and loyal to Michigan. They get ‘Go Blue!’ everywhere — even overseas — in proudly sporting their gear, Anderson said, wearing it everywhere. They got plenty of love from the Michigan fans who recognized Anderson Jr. at the football game on a visit. 

Anderson Jr. takes it all in stride, never satisfied with his game. But even he marvels at the events that led him to Michigan. 

“We actually had no connection or relationship when he first saw me, which was during the summer right after my freshman season,” he recalled of his relationship with Howard. “There were a bunch of teams [at the event], top ranked guys, all the college coaches were there. He came and watched my game because someone tapped him on the shoulder and said, ‘come look at this kid.’ He looked.

“Obviously, I was playing well. He came and sat down.”

Ten other college coaches followed Howard, interested to see what all the fuss was about. When the smoke cleared, though, the Michigan coach was the one willing to take a chance. 

“He saw something unique in me, I guess,” Anderson Jr. continued. “Other college coaches weren’t really ready to recruit me. He just out of nowhere came and watched me, liked what he saw. We talked.”

Then Howard sent associate head coach Phil Martelli to one his games against one of the nation’s top prospects. Again, Anderson Jr. lit it up.

“Five months later he offered me, and we committed to him,” Anderson Jr. recalled. 

Two years later, he’s around 6-feet tall and still has the potential for more growth, per his doctors. His range is uncanny, and he continues to get stronger. He got off to a great start in spring AAU play in the New Balance league, and now he’s headed to The Skill Factory (TSF) AAU to play on the Nike EYBL circuit. There, he’ll be tested by some of the nation’s best. 

Next season, he’ll then take his talents to prestigious Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. 

“We just came off a great season at Lovett, my third season there,” Anderson said. “It wasn’t really about I wanted to leave Lovett because it was a bad situation. I just felt like it was time to play against and practice against the top guys, kind of focus on basketball primarily.”

It should only help his game and preparation for Michigan. The Wolverines will continue to recruit other guards, as well — you can never have too many — but it’s clear they like what they have in the kid who just continues to grow, both literally and on the basketball court.