Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here is the detailed profile of Willie Anderson:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Willie Lloyd Anderson Jr.
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born on January 8, 1967
  • Hometown: Greenville, South Carolina, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 meters)
  • Weight: 190 pounds (86 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 10 inches (2.08 meters)
  • Shoe Size: Men’s US size 13
  • Number: 40
  • Position: Shooting guard / Small forward
  • High School: Eastside High School (Taylors, South Carolina)
  • College: University of Georgia (1984–1988)
  • NBA Draft: 1988, 1st round, 10th overall pick by the San Antonio Spurs
  • Teams Played For:
    • San Antonio Spurs (1988–1995)
    • Toronto Raptors (1995–1996)
    • New York Knicks (1996)
    • Miami Heat (1996)
    • Played internationally in Greece, Spain, and Israel after the NBA
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: Willie Anderson has children, including a son, Evan Anderson, who has played basketball at the collegiate level.
  • Siblings: He has a younger brother, Shandon Anderson, who also played in the NBA and won an NBA championship with the Miami Heat in 2006.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Willie Anderson’s player archetype was that of a versatile two-way wing, a guard-forward who could score, pass, defend across the perimeter, and give a lineup some secondary playmaking without needing an offense built around him. Defensively, he brought size and mobility to the wing, using his length, positioning, and activity to bother guards and forwards alike while contributing steals and helping within team schemes. Offensively, Anderson operated as a balanced complementary weapon who could handle the ball, make the extra pass, attack from the mid-range, and finish plays as a scorer without being limited to spot-up duty. At 6-foot-7 and roughly 190 to 200 pounds, he had the frame of a bigger wing and the skill set of a backcourt connector, which made him useful in multiple roles. His overall play style was steady and adaptable, blending scoring, ball movement, and defensive versatility in a way that fit smoothly next to higher-usage stars.

Sources:

Basketball-Reference — Willie Anderson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
NBA.com — Willie Anderson | Guard-Forward | San Antonio Spurs
NBA.com — All-time NBA Draft lottery picks: San Antonio Spurs
Land of Basketball — NBA Players: Willie Anderson Profile and Basic Stats