Sep 28, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks rookie guard Justin Anderson (1) poses for a photo during Media Day at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sportsg

Dallas Mavericks Justin Anderson is still making the leap

The contents of the Amway Center visitors’ locker room don’t vary much. Scattered clothing, towels and the occasional Louis Vuitton bag seem like permanent fixtures; the faces all change even as the items in the background remain a constant. But Dallas Mavericks rookie Justin Anderson stands out in this regard. Tucked in the corner behind him is a shiny, pink suitcase, adorned with Disney princesses that beam brightly in stark contrast to the other items in the locker. Was that something he picked for a reason? “Oh, you noticed that, did you?” Anderson responds, casting his eyes downward for the first time during the interview. Yes, the Little Mermaid does seem somewhat out of place in a sweat-filled room full of adult men. “No, I didn’t pick it. Deron [Williams] did. Right when we started out the regular season and we took a road trip. I had a really nice bag and he was like, ‘That’s okay but I need to get you something a little different.’ I already suspected where he was going with that and he went online right away and, sure enough, I soon had that waiting for me when I got back home.” The first year of life in the NBA can be a difficult transition. Constant travel, struggling for consistent playing time and, yes, the incongruous pink suitcase, are all parts of the rookie adjustment. But Anderson – equal parts über-athlete and tireless worker – is definitely up to the task.

“Justin is just a special kid.” Those are the words of Stu Vetter, one of the winningest high-school coaches in history, and a man that coached Anderson and a “host of other” NBA players, including Dennis Scott, Greivis Vazquez, Terrence Ross and Kevin Durant. Justin played for Vetter for four years at Montrose Christian High School in Rockville, Maryland, just miles outside of the nation’s capital. But it was a pairing that nearly didn’t happen, if not for Anderson’s father reaching out to Montrose’s head coach by phone. “His dad called me, out of the blue,” admits Vetter,”and says I have a son that’s 6-4 and really athletic. Normally, when I get those calls, a guy will be about 5-7 and can barely touch the net. But Justin’s dad, his description of Justin was legitimate. He was that type right from the beginning. He was one of those rare athletes…” Despite that uncommon athletic talent, Anderson wasn’t immediately a star at Montrose. This was a storied program that had moved on from Durant’s departure but was still very much a powerhouse. “We had a lot of good players, so Justin had to just wait his turn,” says Vetter. There was no doubt about Anderson’s ability – he was definitely being groomed to be the “face of the program” according to his former coach – but it wasn’t a foregone conclusion. “He’s not one of those spoiled guys that’s been catered to his entire high school career. He had to earn it – go step-by-step – to become a starter, and then a go-to player. It wasn’t given to him, not like some coddled superstars.” It was an education for Anderson and all of his teammates, one that included lessons both on and off-the-court. All of Vetter’s players had to wear coats and ties, learn interview techniques and how to present themselves. To do the simple things, like “shake hands and look someone in the eye.” The lessons stuck with Anderson, who Vetter describes as “very bright, very genuine,” and a player “you can have a real conversation with.” He would leave Montrose a bigger (now at 6’6″), better, and more well-rounded player, choosing to continue his career at the University of Virginia. Again, the pattern repeated itself. “His first year at UVA, he wasn’t a starter right away,” explains Vetter. “He worked his way into the starting lineup and was coached very well there by Tony Bennett and eventually became an outstanding defensive player.” “He had to earn it – go step-by-step – to become a starter, and then a go-to player. It wasn’t given to him, not like some coddled superstars.” Anderson made the most of his opportunity as a starter, earning All-ACC and All-American honors during his junior year. After three seasons as a Cavalier, he decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2015 NBA Draft. He was selected No. 21 overall by Dallas, a team that exists in a dual state of perpetually rebuilding and challenging for a postseason berth. The roster turnover is frequent but so is the team’s success. They remain a playoff contender, even while incorporating several new players that find a way to contribute. Anderson is not one of those players. Unlike many of the draft’s earliest picks, however, Anderson was not expected to be a major factor for Dallas. His selection was one for the future, with potential yet to be fulfilled. He’s learning the ropes slowly, splitting time between the Mavericks and their D-League affiliate, the Texas Legends. The athletic highlights are there, spliced together with more common rookie struggles in 38 appearances with the Mavs, where he averages just 2.8 points, 1.5 rebounds and 8.1 minutes per game. This might appear to some as proof that Anderson wasn’t ready for the NBA; don’t count Vetter among that group. “He’s the type of the player that will continue to work because he loves to play the game. He will get better as the season moves on, as he gets more experience,” says Vetter in a voice heavy with determination. “And he will learn. He will work in the offseason and be a better basketball player next year than he was this one.”