Let's play a game! What do all of these former and current Cal basketball players have in common?

Ryan Anderson
Leon Powe
Amit Tamir
Sean Lampley
Shareef Abdur-Rahim

Okay, so maybe the title gives it away, but for whatever reason Cal has been stacked at the power forward position for at least the last ten years. Honestly, I think this is quite phenomenal, considering the dearth of big men in the college game.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at Ryan Anderson. Last year he averaged 16.3 ppg and 8.2 reb while being snubbed Pac-10 freshman of the year (that Jewish looking kid from Arizona has got hops, but he's over-hyped). This year Ryan's averaging 22.8 ppg and 9.8 reb through 9 games, though he battles for rebounds alongside DeVon. Moreover he hits the three with regularity (39%) and is an excellent free throw shooter (85%). What's even more amazing is the only other schools to offer Ryan out of high school were U$C and Pacific. Wow, did we get a steal! Yet, you never hear his name on Sports Center or as a potential NBA draft pick. Ryan could become the greatest Cal power forward of all time no one (outside of the Pac-10) has heard of. That's astonishing considering Cal's history!

So let's root on Ryan and the rest of the Golden Bears this weekend at the Golden Bear Classic.

Go Ryan, Go Bears!

P.S. Harper Kamp (the next great PF) is probably Cal's most productive player on a per minute basis. This guy is gonna explode if he ever gets starter minutes.

Labels: Basketball