Ryan Anderson is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 11 seasons. He was born on May 6, 1988, in Sacramento, California, and attended Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills, California. Anderson played college basketball at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was named the Pac-10 Player of the Year in 2008.
Anderson was selected by the New Jersey Nets with the 21st overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft. He played for the Nets for two seasons before being traded to the Orlando Magic in 2009. Anderson had a breakout season with the Magic in 2011-12, averaging 16.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game and winning the NBA Most Improved Player Award.
After four seasons with the Magic, Anderson was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2012. He played for the Pelicans for four seasons, averaging 17.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in the 2013-14 season. Anderson was then traded to the Houston Rockets in 2016, where he played for two seasons before being traded to the Phoenix Suns in 2018.
Anderson's career was marked by his ability to shoot from beyond the arc. He was a career 38.2% three-point shooter and led the NBA in three-pointers made in the 2011-12 season with 166. Anderson was also known for his rebounding ability, particularly on the offensive end of the court.
Injuries plagued Anderson's career, however. He missed significant time in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons due to a herniated disc in his back. He also suffered a sprained ankle and a hip injury during his time with the Rockets.
Anderson announced his retirement from the NBA in November 2020 at the age of 32. He cited his desire to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests as reasons for his decision to retire.
Overall, Ryan Anderson had a successful career in the NBA, averaging 12.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game over 11 seasons. He was a skilled shooter and rebounder who made a significant impact on the teams he played for. Despite his injuries, Anderson remained a valuable player throughout his career and will be remembered as one of the best three-point shooters of his generation.
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