From heart condition to GB under 20’s to regular playing time in the BBL, Jamell Anderson is no stranger to adversity or big challenges. So when the Leicester Riders came knocking on Anderson’s door and a new opportunity presented itself ahead of the 2011 season, it was inevitable that he was going to step up to the plate.
Anderson played last year in the BBL with the Essex Pirates where he suffered through an extraordinary losing streak (30 games), so a move to a side who pushed their way into last years play-offs will be a breathe of fresh air for the Nottingham native.
The newest addition to the Riders roster will be attending the highly rated and nationally respected Loughborough University and Loughborough College Basketball Programme. There is every possibility that Anderson will be the perfect poster child for the programme as he will look to excel from an educational standpoint whilst also being allowed to improve his game under the tutelage of Riders head coach, Rob Paternostro:
“To be able to grab a young player with the upside he (Anderson) has, is exciting especially as I admired his athletic game at Essex and was always impressed by how hard he would compete” admitted Paternostro. “Anderson has shown a lot of promise so far in his young career and if his link with Loughborough University can help him receive the kind of rewards that the programme has shown others already, then I believe good things will happen for Jamell.”
Anderson joins a Riders roster confirmed ahead of the 2011-12 season so far, as:
Barry Lamble, John Griffin III. Cameron Rundles, Frank Holmes, Tom Sherlock, Ayron Hardy and Bradd Wierzbicki.
