Anderson bringing energy off the bench
STILLWATER — Avery Anderson III was never out of the play, though he likely could have been.
Oklahoma State’s freshman point guard was stripped of the basketball by Missouri-Kansas City’s Brandon McKissic, setting up a breakaway fast break.
So the Kangaroos thought.
Anderson was undeterred. The 6-foot-2, 170-pounder raced back on defense and caught Marvin Nesbitt Jr. just as he went to the rim for a basket. Anderson blocked the shot from behind Saturday afternoon. Hustle always wins out.
“It’s just efforting,” Anderson said following the game. “When coach says if you make a turnover just hustle your a … you know … back and get the stop, so that’s what I just did.’’
As the Cowboys hit the road for the first time Wednesday at Charleston for an 8 p.m. tipoff on CBS Sports, they’ve found a spark in their young backup point guard. Anderson brings life off the bench along with an impressive athleticism and playmaking ability.
The Northwest (Texas) High product has averaged 4.5 points, 3.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds in two games to open his career. He’s dazzled with his ballhandling, athletic drives to the basket and steadiness running the offense.
But he’s perhaps been more impressive with his defense.
“I’m really, really proud of Avery,” OSU coach Mike Boynton said. “The thing I'm proud of him for is he’s totally bought into not having to get 20 (points) and understanding that he’s going to play a different role on this team, but he’s still going to find ways to impact us having success.”
Boynton said he expects Anderson to be more defensive-minded than he was in high school. As a prep star, he was a flashy scorer. He could do things most couldn’t with his thin and long frame.
He always brought a spark.
“I’m the energy guy,” Anderson said. “Do everything. Defensive side of the ball, offensive side of the ball. Whatever you need me to do to get the ‘W’, that’s what I am.”
There will be times he will score, and it will be impressive. Right now, he’s just bringing a new level of play off the bench.
“One thing about practicing against Avery every day, I know he can flat-out just go,” starting point guard Isaac Likekele said. “He’s going to have games where he looks like the best player in the country and he’s going to have games where he’s struggling, but that’s freshman struggles that we’ve all been through.”
OSU at Charleston
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday Where: TD Arena, Charleston, S.C. TV: CBS Sports (Cox 249/HD 717, Dish 158, DirecTV 221, U-verse 643/HD 1643) Radio: KXXY-FM 96.1
Three things to know
• OSU has been dominant inside the paint, limiting opponents to just 45.8 percent shooting in the area. The Cowboys rank third nationally in blocks per game (9.0) and have blocked 12 and six in each of the first two games.
• The Cowboys were 2-10 on the road last season and have not won back-to-back road games since February 2018. A win would end that streak, though. OSU won at Baylor on March 6.
• OSU beat Charleston 70-58 last season inside Gallagher-Iba Arena. Charleston features guard Grant Riller, the reigning Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year, who averaged 21.9 points and 13.4 assists last season.
Projected starters Oklahoma State (2-0, 0-0 Big 12) Pos. Player Ht. Cl. Pts. Reb.
G Isaac Likekele 6-4 So. 14.0 6.5 G Thomas Dziagwa 6-4 Sr. 4.0 1.5 G Lindy Waters III 6-6 Sr. 10.5 5.5 F Cameron McGriff 6-7 Sr. 11.0 5.0 F Yor Anei 6-10 So. 13.0 6.5
Charleston (2-0, 0-0 Colonial) Pos. Player Ht. Cl. Pts. Reb.
G Zep Jasper 6-1 S0. 6.0 1.3* G Grant Riller 6-3 Sr. 24.5 4.0* G Brevin Galloway 6-2 Jr. 14.5 1.0 F Jaylen McManus 6-7 Sr. 9.0 6.5 F Osinachi Smart 6-8 Jr. 2.0 5.0
* — assists
STILLWATER — Avery Anderson III was never out of the play, though he likely could have been.
Oklahoma State’s freshman point guard was stripped of the basketball by Missouri-Kansas City’s Brandon McKissic, setting up a breakaway fast break.
So the Kangaroos thought.
Anderson was undeterred. The 6-foot-2, 170-pounder raced back on defense and caught Marvin Nesbitt Jr. just as he went to the rim for a basket. Anderson blocked the shot from behind Saturday afternoon. Hustle always wins out.
“It’s just efforting,” Anderson said following the game. “When coach says if you make a turnover just hustle your a … you know … back and get the stop, so that’s what I just did.’’
As the Cowboys hit the road for the first time Wednesday at Charleston for an 8 p.m. tipoff on CBS Sports, they’ve found a spark in their young backup point guard. Anderson brings life off the bench along with an impressive athleticism and playmaking ability.
The Northwest (Texas) High product has averaged 4.5 points, 3.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds in two games to open his career. He’s dazzled with his ballhandling, athletic drives to the basket and steadiness running the offense.
But he’s perhaps been more impressive with his defense.
“I’m really, really proud of Avery,” OSU coach Mike Boynton said. “The thing I'm proud of him for is he’s totally bought into not having to get 20 (points) and understanding that he’s going to play a different role on this team, but he’s still going to find ways to impact us having success.”
Boynton said he expects Anderson to be more defensive-minded than he was in high school. As a prep star, he was a flashy scorer. He could do things most couldn’t with his thin and long frame.
He always brought a spark.
“I’m the energy guy,” Anderson said. “Do everything. Defensive side of the ball, offensive side of the ball. Whatever you need me to do to get the ‘W’, that’s what I am.”
There will be times he will score, and it will be impressive. Right now, he’s just bringing a new level of play off the bench.
“One thing about practicing against Avery every day, I know he can flat-out just go,” starting point guard Isaac Likekele said. “He’s going to have games where he looks like the best player in the country and he’s going to have games where he’s struggling, but that’s freshman struggles that we’ve all been through.”
OSU at Charleston
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday Where: TD Arena, Charleston, S.C. TV: CBS Sports (Cox 249/HD 717, Dish 158, DirecTV 221, U-verse 643/HD 1643) Radio: KXXY-FM 96.1
Three things to know
• OSU has been dominant inside the paint, limiting opponents to just 45.8 percent shooting in the area. The Cowboys rank third nationally in blocks per game (9.0) and have blocked 12 and six in each of the first two games.
• The Cowboys were 2-10 on the road last season and have not won back-to-back road games since February 2018. A win would end that streak, though. OSU won at Baylor on March 6.
• OSU beat Charleston 70-58 last season inside Gallagher-Iba Arena. Charleston features guard Grant Riller, the reigning Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year, who averaged 21.9 points and 13.4 assists last season.
Projected starters Oklahoma State (2-0, 0-0 Big 12) Pos. Player Ht. Cl. Pts. Reb.
G Isaac Likekele 6-4 So. 14.0 6.5 G Thomas Dziagwa 6-4 Sr. 4.0 1.5 G Lindy Waters III 6-6 Sr. 10.5 5.5 F Cameron McGriff 6-7 Sr. 11.0 5.0 F Yor Anei 6-10 So. 13.0 6.5
Charleston (2-0, 0-0 Colonial) Pos. Player Ht. Cl. Pts. Reb.
G Zep Jasper 6-1 S0. 6.0 1.3* G Grant Riller 6-3 Sr. 24.5 4.0* G Brevin Galloway 6-2 Jr. 14.5 1.0 F Jaylen McManus 6-7 Sr. 9.0 6.5 F Osinachi Smart 6-8 Jr. 2.0 5.0
* — assists
