Anderson back with Red Raiders after U19 World Cup
July 18, 2025 | Men's Basketball
LUBBOCK – It almost looks too natural watching Christian Anderson move with the basketball during a summer practice in mid-July. Every pass is smooth and his shots are pure. He's engaged with everyone on the court, carrying himself with confidence and composure. After a month overseas playing for Germany in the FIBA U19 World Cup, Anderson appears as poised as the night he dropped a career-high 22 points on Arkansas in the Sweet 16 during this Texas Tech practice session to wrap up his first week back. There's a sequence of plays where he makes a quick shot fake, gets to the lane and drops off a pass to Luke Bamgboye for an easy dunk. On the next play, he whips the ball inside for JT Toppin who makes a patented floater. Assistant coach Jeff Linder is preaching control and pace during this drill that continues with Anderson finding a wide-open Donovan Atwell who splashes a 3-pointer. Linder emphasizes getting a layup or moving quickly to the next action. Now, with a year of college experience and helping Germany to a silver medal two weeks ago, Anderson not only appreciates the concepts but understands his abilities to execute them and an elevated role.
"We're starting out strong and fast," Anderson said. "It's not like we're out here easing into things. We want to be the best team in the country. It starts now for sure. Coach Linder and all the coaches are going to push us to work hard and do all the little things right. We're going to chase perfection in every practice we have. It's only going to get harder from here and we're ready for it."
Anderson is coming off a freshman season at Texas Tech where he averaged 10.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game and earned his spot on the All-Big 12 Freshman Team. He matched Chance McMillian for the team lead with 71 made 3-pointers and finished the season with four games scoring over 20 points. The highlight of his season came in the dramatic comeback win over Arkansas where he scored 22 points with three 3s to advance to the Elite 8. In Switzerland during the U19 World Cup, Anderson continued showing why hype around his sophomore season is justified. He averaged 17.3 points, 6.6 assists and 4.9 rebounds through seven games in the tournament, capped by going for 18 points and nine assists against the USA in the title game. Anderson was dynamic throughout the tournament, scoring 29 points against Canada, 27 in a semifinal win over Slovenia and dishing out 12 assists against Serbia. He was awarded All-Star Five honors and helped Germany to its best finish ever in the event.
"This was our first World Cup and playing against teams we haven't played before," said Anderson of the experience. "I thought we played really well. There were a lot of different play styles. I think that will help me to keep getting better and smarter about the game. I think I was able to elevate my leadership also. Coach McCasland and our staff want me to be in a leadership role this season. Starting it this summer with Germany and coming back here helped me get used to being a leader on and off the court. I was over there for about five weeks having fun and competing. I missed being here with my teammates though. It's a great feeling coming back and being around everyone from last year and really getting to know all the new guys."
After five weeks away, Anderson is fully invested in his development and getting to know his new teammates as quickly as possible. Though it may seem like just yesterday he was in San Francisco playing in the Elite 8, the reality is it's been 111. A lot has changed during that time, but while doing a quick interview for this report, Anderson occasionally looks to the court where Toppin is going through an individual workout after the team practice. Toppin earned consensus All-America honors and Big 12 Player of the Year as a sophomore after posting 19 double-doubles and averaging 18.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. Anderson can't help but smile when thinking about what next season could bring.
"We know each other's strengths and can help each other get even better," Anderson said. "Playing with him last year and having this time to develop together is only going to make us even better next year. I think we can be one of the best duos out there."
Anderson says all this following a weight room workout after the team practice and with about 100 days before his sophomore season begins. There's still an individual workout on the court before he'll head to the locker room. After a year in Lubbock, there's a natural routine to this, one that has helped him gain 13.5 pounds and has added strength to his quickness and athleticism. He's now comfortable in aspects that were uncomfortable a year ago and understands there's a purpose in everything and where it can lead.
"I came here last year really not knowing what to expect and was really just trying to play my game and fit in the best I could," Anderson said. "I know what it takes now to be one of the best teams in the country. That comes with working hard every day and never taking a day off. It's a game of perfection and execution. I have a different standard for myself and the team now. It'll help me help the team."
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