It’s not often that two former metro area athletes with the same last name (no relation) accomplish great things during the same time period. Realizing this provided me the opportunity to acknowledge their accomplishments.
These accomplishments are preceded by a question and answer followed by information detailing their contributions and a brief history of each athlete’s connection to the metro area high school scene.
One athlete featured is developing into one of the top NCAA Division I sprinters in the nation, while the other is finding his way as a guard in the NBA.
The track phenom
Question: What former metro area girls’ basketball and track and field phenom was recently named Track Athlete of the Week at her Division I school?
Answer: TAYLOR ANDERSON
Details: The former Hopkins standout, now a sprinter at the University of Connecticut, was honored by the American Athletic Conference after helping the 4×100 (45.86) and 4×200 (1:34.55) relay teams to a pair of record times at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia.
While at Hopkins, Anderson helped the Royals capture four state Track titles and three state basketball crowns. She also won the 100 meter state championship twice and led the 4×100 to three first-place finishes as well.
Making it in the NBA
Question: What former all-state metro area boys’ basketball player helped his team advance to the second round of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs?
Answer: ALAN ANDERSON
Details: The former Minneapolis Edison and DeLaSalle player, now a member of the Brooklyn Nets, played a key role in helping the veteran team advance in the playoffs by helping the Nets defeat the Toronto Raptors. Ironically, Anderson played for the Raptors during the 2012-13 season, averaging 10.7 points per game.
Anderson started his prep career at Edison before transferring to DeLaSalle after his sophomore year. He was named the Star Tribune’s Metro Player of the Year as a senior in 2001.
From there he played four years at Michigan State University, leading them to the 2005 NCAA Final Four as a senior, while averaging 13.2 points per game.
Anderson also played wide receiver during his junior year at DeLaSalle, helping the Islanders capture the state football championship in 1999.
Mitchell Palmer McDonald welcomes reader responses to mmcdonald@spokesman-recorder.com.
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