Sept. 2, 2005
The Nova Notebook, by Villanova director of media relations Mike Sheridan, appears each week beginning in the fall and continues through the basketball regular season. In our first entry for September we introduce you to freshman guard Dwayne Anderson.
Although he carries the reputation of a quiet man, Dwayne Anderson promises that the Anderson clan will make itself heard at Villanova games in 2005-06.
"You will hear them screaming," he says of his parents, Dwayne Anderson Sr. and Michelle Anderson and younger brothers David and Darian. "They are my biggest fans and my harshest critics."
In fact, the younger Dwayne Anderson's earliest basketball memories are of trailing along with his father to watch him play basketball every Sunday. Dwayne Anderson Sr. was an accomplished player in his own right and it was then that his eldest son developed an appreciation for the sport.
"I watched my father play every week," Anderson says. "That's when I really fell in love with the game."
By the time the younger Anderson reached the sixth grade he was playing competitive basketball in his native Silver Spring, Md. It wasn't long before he was playing AAU basketball and turning enough heads to attract the attention of the accomplished clubs in nearby Washington, D.C.
From the beginning, Anderson made an impression with his athletic frame and ability to shoot from deep. His game often reflected his demeanor - quiet, unassuming yet very productive. It was that package that began to draw college coaches to Anderson following his sophomore year at St. John's High School.
"(Former VU assistant and current Columbia head coach) Joe Jones saw me play an AAU game and really was one of the first coaches I heard from," states Anderson. "He told me about Coach Wright and what Villanova was all about."
If other youngsters were affected by this new found attention, Anderson was not. He simply continued to make his mark with his offense and multi-faceted game. As a senior at St. John's, he averaged 19.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. He signed a letter of intent to attend Villanova in the fall of 2003 before ultimately electing to attend St. Thomas More in Connecticut for the 2004-05 school year.
It was an adjustment.
"It was very different from what I was used to academically and physically," Anderson states of the prep school that was also attended by former Villanova guard Gary Buchanan.
Located more than a five hour drive from his home in a remote part of Connecticut, at St. Thomas More Anderson found himself in a new environment with few familiar surroundings. It was a transition that took some getting used to.
"When I first got up there, I wanted to come home," he says. "I talked to my Mom and Dad about it. My Dad told me I needed to stick it out and I'm glad I did. I learned a lot about myself."
When an athlete enrolls in prep school, he or she is no longer bound to the university with whom they signed the original letter of intent. In addition to Villanova, Anderson heard from Georgetown, Maryland and Texas. But Anderson never really wavered in his college choice - he signed another letter of intent with Villanova in the fall of 2004.
It didn't hurt that a long-time friend would be joining him. Dante Cunningham, Anderson's former teammate at St. John's, also signed a letter of intent last November and enrolled this fall. The two have known one another since they were in elementary school.
"Our team played against his and they always used to beat us by like two points," he says with a smile.
As the two grew, they often found themselves at the same camps and AAU events. Soon a friendship had formed, one that remains strong today.
"I consider Dante to be my god brother," says Anderson. "We bonded and have stayed friends."
The presence of his pal certainly has added to the comfort level Anderson feels at Villanova. So to does the fact that this isn't his first time spending an extended period away from home after the year at St. Thomas More. Then there is the fabric of the 2005-06 Wildcats, a close-knit group that has welcomed all four newcomers - Bilal Benn and Frank Tchuisi are the other members of Villanova's class of 2009 - to campus.
Anderson and the other incoming frosh spent most of the summer on campus. It allowed him to acclimate himself to his new teammates and surroundings. Lately, the pace has quickened as the fall semester got underway.
"I enjoyed orientation," Anderson states of the process leading up to the first day of classes in which new students are introduced to the Villanova community. "It was great to interact with so many other students. In the summer it was kind of quiet around here but it's not like that now."
On the basketball court, Anderson has been an active participant in the open gym sessions at St. Mary's and Jake Nevin Field House. He has now played with and against most of his new teammates in those settings and is already making mental notes.
"Everyone at this level is just bigger, better and stronger," he says.
Anderson also likes the fact that he and the rest of the freshman have something that the current class of seniors did not - a battle-tested bunch on hand that understands fully the requirements of head coach Jay Wright's system.
"Everyone has been great," he says. "I just want to learn as much as I can from the coaches and the players."
When asked to describe the strengths of his game, Anderson chooses only a few words "I'm a 6-6 guard."
Enough said...
There still remains time to join the fun at the 2005 Villanova Classic, the third annual golf outing to benefit the men's basketball program. The event will be held at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J. on Sept. 19. Head coach Jay Wright, his staff, and numerous basketball alums will be present to help salute special honoree Jack Kraft.
The public can participate in a variety of fashions. A tournament foursome costs $2,400 and includes a round of golf for four, lunch, cocktails, dinner and classic gifts. Individual players receive the same amenities for $600. Individual hole sponsorships cost $300 and allow those who may not be able to attend to demonstrate their support in a visible fashion. Guests can take part in the dinner and auction only for $100 and there is also a 50/50 Raffle available for the same amount.
Reservations are being accepted now and this has proven to be a very popular day in recent years. To reserve a spot, please call the Block V Club (877-434-1500) or contact it via email at blockvclub@villanova.edu.
