CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Chris Anderson is looking to do whatever he can to help the Island Storm win.
It includes running the floor, rebounding and being a physical presence as a stretch four.
“Just help the team all the way around,” he said when asked to describe what he brings to the team. “Defence, block shots, athleticism.”
The six-foot-seven, 225-pound forward is the latest acquisition for the Storm as it tries to find the player who can help solidify the defence while playing its up-tempo style.
Anderson, who played 19 games at centre for the NBA G League’s Grand Rapids Drive last season, said he wants to fit in and continue to develop as a player within the Storm’s system. In 11 games this season with Grand Rapids, the 25-year-old Muskegon, Mich., native averaged two points and 2.2 rebounds.
“We’re all here for the same reason – everybody wants to win, everybody wants to get better, everybody wants to get to the next level,” he said.
He’s been out of action for about a month. He arrived Monday night, practised Tuesday and is expected to play tonight as the Storm travels to Moncton to play the Magic.
“I want to get back rolling as soon as possible,” he said.
Storm head coach Tim Kendrick said they had been talking with Anderson’s agent for a couple of weeks.
“We think we’re going to get some real toughness from him, some rebounding and some defence,” he said. “I think he’ll fit the bill nicely for us.”
He also said Anderson is a good low-post scorer. He played college ball at Louisiana Tech, where he averaged 12 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in his senior season of 2013-14.
The Storm also announced it had released Travis Elliott on Tuesday.
Elliott played five games with the Storm, averaging 1.8 points and five rebounds while playing 20 minutes a game.
The Storm has used Asheun Dixon-Tatum, Marcus Bell, Zachary Valliere and Elliott inside this season. It also recently traded for Jarion Henry.
The Storm re-activated Andre Stringer on Monday night. Before Tuesday’s practice, Kendrick announced Stringer will be the team’s captain for the rest of the season.
Meshak Lufile (ankle) is improving, and there’s a chance he plays this weekend.
Need to know
A look at the Island Storm upcoming schedule:
Tonight’s game
7 p.m. – Island Storm at Moncton Magic
Saturday’s game
7 p.m. – Island Storm at Cape Breton Highlanders.
Sunday’s game
2 p.m. – Halifax Hurricanes at Island Storm.
Leaders
A look at the Island Storm’s statistical leaders
Points per game
Du’Vaughn Maxwell 19
Franklin Session 18.8
Andre Stringer 18.1
Chris Johnson 18
Rebounds per game
Jarion Henry 10.5
Franklin Session 9.7
DuVaughn Maxwell 5.6
Assists per game
Franklin Session 5.7
Andre Stringer 5.5
