Nick Anderson is a former professional basketball player who played for the Orlando Magic for most of his career. He was born on January 20, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois, and attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Anderson was selected by the Orlando Magic with the 11th overall pick in the 1989 NBA draft.
Anderson played for the Magic from 1989 to 1999 and was a key player on the team during their early years. He was known for his scoring ability, his tenacious defense, and his clutch performances in important games. Anderson was also a fan favorite and was known for his outgoing personality and his willingness to interact with fans.
During his time with the Magic, Anderson helped lead the team to the NBA Finals in 1995, where they lost to the Houston Rockets. He was also a member of the 1996 USA Olympic basketball team that won the gold medal in Atlanta.
Anderson's best season with the Magic was in 1993-94 when he averaged 19.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. He was named to the All-NBA Third Team that season and was also selected to the NBA All-Star Game.
After leaving the Magic in 1999, Anderson played for the Sacramento Kings and the Memphis Grizzlies before retiring in 2002. He finished his career with averages of 14.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.
Despite his successful career, Anderson is perhaps best known for a moment of failure. In the 1995 NBA Finals, with the Magic leading the series 1-0 and leading the Houston Rockets by three points in the closing seconds of Game 1, Anderson missed four consecutive free throws that would have sealed the victory for the Magic. The Rockets went on to win the game in overtime and eventually won the series in four games.
Despite this moment of disappointment, Anderson remains a beloved figure in Orlando and is remembered as one of the best players in the history of the Magic franchise. He was inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame in 2011.
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