Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s the detailed profile of Chris Andersen:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Christopher Claus Andersen
  • Nickname: “Birdman”
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born July 7, 1978
  • Hometown: Long Beach, California, USA (raised in Iola, Texas)
  • Height: 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
  • Weight: 245 lbs (111 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m)
  • Shoe Size: Size 18 (US)
  • Number: #11, #12, #15
  • Position: Power Forward / Center
  • High School: Iola High School, Iola, Texas
  • College: Blinn College (Texas; did not play NCAA Division I basketball)
  • NBA Draft: Undrafted in 1999
  • Teams Played For:
    • Denver Nuggets (2001–2004, 2008–2012)
    • New Orleans Hornets (2004–2008)
    • Miami Heat (2013–2016)
    • Memphis Grizzlies (2016–2017)
    • Cleveland Cavaliers (2017)
  • Championship Rings: 1 NBA Championship with the Miami Heat (2013)
  • Kids: No publicly known children
  • Siblings: He has two siblings: a brother and a sister.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Chris Andersen’s player archetype was that of an energy big and rim-running shot blocker, a high-motor interior presence whose biggest value came from protecting the paint, finishing plays around the rim, and changing the tempo with sheer activity. Defensively, he operated as a weak-side eraser and emotional tone-setter, using his length, bounce, and timing to contest shots, rotate aggressively, and give his teams a disruptive interior defender off the bench. Offensively, Andersen was a limited but useful finisher rather than a creator, doing his work as a dive man, lob target, offensive rebounder, and cleanup scorer who thrived on cuts, dump-offs, and putbacks. At about 6-foot-10 with long arms, springy leaping ability, and a wiry-but-physical frame, he played with a chaotic edge that made him effective despite a narrow skill set. His play style was raw, forceful, and highly specialized, built on hustle, vertical spacing, shot blocking, and relentless energy more than polished half-court offense.

Notes:

  • Similar players to Chris Andersen include Dennis Rodman.

Sources:

NBA.com — Chris Andersen and The Rim Run Diary
Bleacher Report — Why Chris Andersen Is Huge Playoff Asset for Miami Heat
Bleacher Report — Chris Andersen’s Value Is Measured in Much More Than Tattoos and Alley-Oops
Bleacher Report — Defending the House: Best Defensive Players in 2013 NBA Finals