Last Updated on January 7, 2025 by Mathew Diekhake

Christopher John Anstey is a retired Australian professional basketball player renowned for his significant contributions both domestically and internationally.

Personal Information:

  • Full Name: Christopher John Anstey
  • Nationality: Australian
  • Age: Born January 1, 1975
  • Hometown: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  • Height: 7 feet 0 inches (213 cm)
  • Weight: 245 pounds (111 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 1 inch
  • Shoe Size: Size 19 (US)
  • Jersey Numbers: 11, 13, 22
  • Position: Center

Educational and Athletic Background:

  • High School: Information not publicly available
  • College: Did not attend college; transitioned directly to professional basketball

Professional Career:

  • NBA Draft: Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round (18th overall pick) of the 1997 NBA Draft
  • Teams Played For:
    • Melbourne Tigers (1994)
    • South East Melbourne Magic (1995–1997)
    • Dallas Mavericks (1997–1999)
    • Chicago Bulls (1999–2000)
    • Victoria Titans (2000–2002)
    • Ural Great (Russia, 2002–2003)
    • UNICS Kazan (Russia, 2003–2005)
    • Melbourne Tigers (2005–2010)
  • Championships:
    • NBL Championships: 3 (1996 with South East Melbourne Magic; 2006 and 2008 with Melbourne Tigers)
  • Notable Achievements:
    • NBL Most Valuable Player (MVP): 2 times (2006, 2008)
    • NBL Grand Final MVP: 2 times (2006, 2008)
    • NBL Best Defensive Player: 2008
    • NBL Leading Rebounder: 2 times (2008, 2009)
    • NBL Leading Shot Blocker: 4 times (2006–2009)
    • FIBA Under-22 World Championship MVP: 1997

Personal Life:

  • Children: Three – Isobel (“Izzy”), Ethan, and Hunter
    • Isobel Anstey: Selected for the Australian women’s under-17 and under-19 teams; has played for the UCLA Bruins women’s basketball team since 2021.
  • Siblings: Information not publicly available

Fun Facts

  • His daughter, Isobel (“Izzy”) Anstey, has followed in his athletic footsteps, representing Australia in international competitions and playing collegiate basketball for UCLA.
  • After retiring from professional play in 2010, he transitioned into coaching, leading the Melbourne Tigers/United from 2012 to 2014.
  • Beyond basketball, Anstey has been involved in corporate ventures, founding the TLC Group in 2010, which comprises TLC Mentoring, TLC Management, and TLC Events.
  • As of September 2023, he leads Media8 Sports, a sports media company based on the Gold Coast, which acquired the Taranaki Airs of the New Zealand NBL, with Anstey becoming the leader of the team’s basketball program.