Nov. 12, 2006
The Nova Notebook, by Villanova director of media relations Mike Sheridan, appears each Friday from September through February and monthly from April through August. This week we spend time with sophomore guard Dwayne Anderson.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Even in the midst of directing his team from the bench, Villanova head coach Jay Wright recognized the anxiety instantly when he heard it at the Pavilion in Tuesday night's exhibition victory over Holy Family University.
"When Dwayne took a couple of those threes," Wright said afterward with a smile, "I heard the crowd gasp. But Dwayne has that kind of range. We see it every day in practice."
Most Villanovans, however, have not seen as much of the Silver Spring, Md., native as his teammates and coaches. As an untested newcomer, the 6-5 Anderson saw limited minutes in 14 games in 2005-06 while learning the college game from the likes of All-American seniors Randy Foye and Allan Ray.
"When Dwayne came into the program he understood his opportunities might be limited as a freshman," says associate head coach Brett Gunning. "He knew we had a lot of seniors and accepted that. But he kept working hard and I think he now sees that this is a great opportunity for him."
Foye is now with the Minnesota Timberwolves, after having been selected with the No. 7 overall pick in the first round of the National Basketball Association draft last June. Ray now is a member of the Boston Celtics while another Wildcat backcourt standout, Kyle Lowry, is serving his NBA apprenticeship with the Memphis Grizzlies, coached by former Villanova assistant Mike Fratello.
Only one guard with extensive college experience, Mike Nardi, remains on the roster. Anderson is now in the mix for playing time on the back line and he made a strong case for himself last week. The product of St. Thomas More (Conn.) connected on 4-of-5 from beyond the arc and finished with 14 points in just 12 minutes of action in the 82-44 triumph on Election Night. Several of the triples were from well beyond the 19 foot, nine inch arc, eliciting the uneasy feelings from the Pavilion audience.
"It felt good to be out there helping our team," Anderson says.
Then Anderson followed that up with a 16 point, eight rebound effort in the Wildcats' 97-60 win over Northwood in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Saturday night. He also chipped in with four steals, giving him new career highs in each category (points, rebounds, blocked shots as well as minutes).
Although it can prove beneficial in the long term, adjusting to limited minutes is often a challenge for elite high school players adapting to college. It was no different for Anderson, who was a prominent performer at both St. John High School in Washington, D.C. and St. Thomas More.
"It was an adjustment for me," he states. "Ever since I had played basketball, I was a key guy. I wasn't used to coming off the bench."
It was, however, a private struggle. Anderson accepted his role and took advantage of whatever chances came his way. He played meaningful minutes against Oklahoma and Longwood. Then came a night before Christmas when he displayed some of that scoring skill, picking up 10 quick points in a victory over La Salle.
As the season progressed, though, Anderson made most of his strides in practice. The fact that he faced off against four accomplished veteran guards did nothing to hinder his development.
"I learned a lot from those guys," he states. "The most important thing I took from them is there fearlessness. They were never afraid of a situation and that's something I always try to remember."
Anderson is not demonstrative by nature. But he has a presence about him that generates respect from his coaches and peers.
"Dwayne is a quiet guy," notes Gunning, "but his teammates really respect him. He plays hard and understands what it takes to be a Villanova basketball player. There may not be any of our guys who has shown more improvement from the end of last season to the start of this one than he has."
Given the exit of so much backcourt talent, Anderson appreciates this opportunity. Over the course of the off-season he spent countless hours honing his skills so that he would be as prepared as possible when practice began in October. By all accounts, he has succeeded."
"Our two most consistent shooters since practice began have been Mike Nardi and Dwayne," Gunning states. "And with his size at guard, he can really help us as a rebounder."
There is little question that Anderson is a gifted offensive talent. At 6-5 he brings exceptional shooting range and also can take advantage by taking smaller guards inside. Those traits carried him through high school and prep school but there were defensive elements to bolster when he came to college.
"The biggest transition was just how hard you have to play," he says. "The players at this level are so good you have to be ready at all times."
Off the court Anderson's adjustment has been seamless. The year at St. Thomas More helped prepare him academically and his easygoing demeanor fit well on campus. Now he is part of a group of ten sophomores and freshmen that is eager to help create its own public identity with the Villanova community.
"The makeup of this team is totally different from last year," Anderson says. "We have more size and are going to try to use that to our advantage.
"I believe I'm ready."
Soon those gasps may turn to expectant cheers as the Villanova faithful gains more insight into the gifts of this 6-5 swingman.
NOTABLES: When Villanova's coach bus pulled into the parking lot at the Countess de Hoernle Student Center for an afternoon practice, it was greeted by former Wildcat head coach and current Northwood leader Rollie Massimino. Also on hand to greet the Villanova traveling party was Harold Pressley, class of 1986, who was one of six members of Massimino's 1985 NCAA championship squad in attendance for Saturday night's contest here.
