Last Updated on July 28, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Justin Anderson is an athletic NBA wing whose defensive versatility, spot-up three-point shooting, and physical perimeter play have earned him opportunities with the Dallas Mavericks, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers, and other organizations. A 3-and-D role player, Anderson brings energy, strength, and switchable defense while fitting best alongside ball-dominant stars as a complementary two-way contributor.

Here’s the detailed profile of Justin Anderson:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Justin Lamar Anderson
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born November 19, 1993
  • Hometown: Montross, Virginia, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
  • Weight: 231 lbs (105 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
  • Shoe Size: Size 14 (US)
  • Number: #1, #10, #23
  • Position: Small Forward / Shooting Guard
  • High School: Montrose Christian School, Rockville, Maryland
  • College: University of Virginia (2012–2015)
  • NBA Draft: Selected 21st overall in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks
  • Teams Played For:
    • Dallas Mavericks (2015–2017)
    • Philadelphia 76ers (2017–2018)
    • Atlanta Hawks (2018–2019)
    • Brooklyn Nets (2020)
    • Cleveland Cavaliers (2022)
    • Indiana Pacers (2022)
    • Played in the NBA G League for Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Long Island Nets, and more
  • Championship Rings: No NBA Championships
  • Kids: Information on children is not publicly available.
  • Siblings: Justin has an older brother, Edward Anderson III, and a younger sister, Eurisha Anderson.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Justin Anderson’s player archetype was that of a strong 3-and-D wing, a physically built perimeter role player whose best NBA value came from defending multiple spots, spacing the floor, and finishing simple offensive actions without needing the ball all the time. Defensively, he projected as a rugged on-ball wing stopper and switchable team defender, using his strength, length, and motor to pressure ball-handlers, contest wings, and hold up against contact. Offensively, his role was more complementary than creative, with most of his scoring coming as a spot-up shooter, cutter, transition finisher, and straight-line attacker rather than a primary shot-maker. At around 6-foot-6 and roughly 230 pounds with a near 6-foot-12 wingspan and standout explosion, he had the frame and athletic profile to play through contact and bring real force on the wing. His play style was direct, physical, and energy-driven, built on toughness, defense, open-floor finishing, and low-maintenance offense that fit best next to higher-usage creators. (nba.com)

Scouting Report

Justin Anderson always looked at his best when the game asked him to make forceful, uncomplicated decisions. He wasn’t the kind of wing who wanted to dance with the ball. Catch it, attack the closeout, finish through contact or move it on—that was where his offensive rhythm lived. What stands out is how often he created advantages simply by cutting with conviction. While defenders were occupied by the primary action, he’d slip behind them from the weak side or time a baseline cut just as the low man committed, turning routine possessions into easy finishes. As a spot-up shooter, his mechanics were compact enough that defenders couldn’t overhelp without paying for it, even if his perimeter touch came in stretches rather than with complete consistency. Defensively, Anderson embraced physical matchups. He fought over screens instead of conceding switches, used his strength to keep bigger wings from dislodging him and was quick to slide into nail help before recovering to his own assignment. The trade-off was that his offensive ceiling shrank whenever he was asked to create repeatedly against a set defence. His handle could tighten under sustained pressure, and he was more effective attacking an already rotating defence than breaking one down from scratch. That’s why his ideal role was alongside a lead creator who could collapse the paint first, allowing Anderson to function as the secondary attacker, transition finisher and defensive tone-setter who connected possessions without monopolising them. To me, there were similarities to James Ennis in the way both filled gaps rather than chased touches, while parts of Anderson’s game also echoed DeMarre Carroll, particularly the willingness to defend physically, sprint the floor, make timely cuts and accept that some of the most valuable contributions happen before the ball ever finds your hands.

Sources:

NBA.com — 2015 Draft Profile | Justin Anderson
NBA.com — How Justin Anderson stacks up as a perimeter defender
NBADraft.net — Justin Anderson
NBA.com — Draft Profile: Justin Anderson
Bleacher Report — 2015 NBA Draft Combine Prospects the Los Angeles Lakers Must Watch Most Closely