Last Updated on July 28, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Richard Anderson was a versatile NBA forward whose rebounding, interior defense, and team-first play earned him frontcourt roles with the Denver Nuggets, Charlotte Hornets, and Portland Trail Blazers during the 1990s. A dependable rotation big, Anderson contributed through physical defense, efficient finishing around the basket, and complementary play that fit well alongside higher-usage scorers.

Here’s the detailed profile of Richard Anderson:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Richard Andrew Anderson
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born November 19, 1960
  • Hometown: San Pedro, California, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
  • Weight: 240 lbs (109 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 ft 11 in
  • Shoe Size: Size 15 (US)
  • Number: #33, #40, #45
  • Position: Power Forward / Center
  • High School: Rancho Cordova High School, Rancho Cordova, California
  • College: University of California, Santa Barbara (1978–1982)
  • NBA Draft: Selected 29th overall in the 1982 NBA Draft by the San Diego Clippers
  • Teams Played For:
    • San Diego Clippers (1982–1983)
    • Denver Nuggets (1983–1984)
    • Houston Rockets (1986–1989)
    • Portland Trail Blazers (1989–1990)
    • Charlotte Hornets (1990–1991)
    • Played internationally in Italy and Spain
  • Championship Rings: No NBA Championships
  • Kids: Information on children is not publicly available.
  • Siblings: Information on siblings is not publicly available.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Richard Anderson’s player archetype was that of a reserve big man who supplied size, rebounding, and functional interior support rather than starring usage, fitting best as a depth power forward/center who could steady a frontcourt rotation. Defensively, he worked mainly as a positional interior defender, using his 6-foot-10, 240-pound frame to battle on the glass, hold space around the paint, and give teams a physical body against opposing bigs. Offensively, his role was modest and practical, centered on finishing simple plays, scoring around the basket, and contributing as a complementary option instead of a primary creator. Physically, Anderson brought classic big-man dimensions and enough strength to play either frontcourt spot, which helped him stick in multiple NBA rotations. His overall play style was straightforward and workmanlike, built more on size, effort, and role discipline than flash, making him the kind of big who filled minutes and supported the structure of a lineup. (Basketball Reference)

Scouting Report

Richard Anderson was the kind of forward who kept an offence organised without drawing much attention to himself. He understood where the next opening was likely to appear and spent most possessions creating it rather than waiting for it. What stands out is how willingly he embraced the unglamorous work. He set firm screens, established early post seals when smaller defenders switched onto him and constantly repositioned along the baseline to give ball handlers a safe outlet once the defence collapsed. He wasn’t a creator who wanted to isolate or attack off a live dribble from the perimeter, but if he caught the ball around the elbows or on the block, he made quick, uncomplicated decisions that prevented the defence from recovering. Defensively, Anderson relied on anticipation and positioning more than quickness. He rotated early as the low man, boxed out with real purpose and understood when to step across to absorb contact rather than chasing blocks that took him out of the play. That’s where his value consistently surfaced. The trade-off was that faster line-ups could stretch him into uncomfortable situations. When offences flowed through repeated pick-and-rolls or forced him to defend laterally in space, his recovery speed became less reliable, and he was far more effective protecting the paint than switching onto perimeter scorers. To me, his best fit was in a structured half-court system with a playmaking guard who could manipulate the defence, allowing Anderson to thrive as a screener, interior finisher and dependable defensive organiser instead of asking him to generate offence on his own. There are similarities to Joe Smith in the understated face-up skill set and willingness to do the connective work between stars, while parts of his interior game also resemble Kurt Rambis, particularly the emphasis on positioning, screening and winning physical battles that rarely appear in the highlights but repeatedly influence possessions.

Sources:

Basketball-Reference — Richard Anderson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Legends of Basketball — Richard Anderson
NBA.com — Richard Anderson | Forward | Portland Trail Blazers | NBA.com
The Draft Review — Richard Anderson