Kenny Anderson: New York State Mr. Basketball
Known as a child prodigy, Kenny Anderson has been considered one of the best basketball prospects of all time. At Archbishop Molloy High School, he was a four-time Parade All-American, an accomplishment not achieved since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Anderson was also a McDonald's All-American, named New York State Mr. Basketball by the New York State Coaches Organization, and High School Basketball Player of the Year by Gatorade.
Anderson was recruited by Georgia Tech where he played for 2 years as the team's starting point guard, helping lead the team to the Final Four in 1990, along with swingmen Dennis Scott and Brian Oliver. The trio was nicknamed "Lethal Weapon 3"
Anderson was selected by the New Jersey Nets with the second pick in the 1991 NBA draft. He was the youngest player in the league in his rookie year and averaged seven points, two rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. In Anderson's second season he nearly doubled his point, rebound, and assist averages. In his third season, he averaged 18.8 points and 9.6 assists. Anderson and teammate Derrick Coleman represented the East squad in the 1994 NBA All-Star Game. Those two along with Drazen Petrovic were forming a trio in New Jersey led by head coach Chuck Daly that was becoming a threat in the league.
But a series of unfortunate events hit, as Andersons biggest supporter Daly left, Drazen tragically had his life cut short and Coleman not known for his work ethic didn't show improvement the Nets took a fall. It resulted in him being traded to the Charlotte Hornets in 1996, along with Gerald Glass, in a deal for Khalid Reeves and Kendall Gill.
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He would eventually play for several other teams including the Portland Trail Blazers, Boston Celtics, Seattle SuperSonics, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, and Los Angeles Clippers. Playing a total of 15 seasons in the NBA, he finally retired in 2006 after one season with Lithuania's Zalgiris Kaunas.
Anderson’s career earnings were estimated at $63,425,200 but ultimately had to file for bankruptcy in 2005 after his spending exceeded his income. “I thought it would last and I didn’t know how to say no,” he said. “I had great attorney’s that advised me well throughout my career, but I never listened.” Anderson went on to say that 2 failed marriages and seven biological children contributed to his savings being depleted.
