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Former Boston College forward Ryan Anderson commits to Arizona

Ryan Anderson

Boston College basketball player Ryan Anderson answers questions at a press conference during the NCAA college basketball Atlantic Coast Conference media day in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

AP

After averaging 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in three seasons at Boston College 6-foot-9 forward Ryan Anderson made the decision to transfer earlier this spring. Given his production and skill set Anderson was a highly sought-after player, with programs such as Arizona, Iowa State and Indiana looking to land a commitment.

Late Thursday night the Long Beach, Calif. native announced via Twitter that he’ll finish his career at Arizona, with the decision coming during a visit to the school.

Anderson will have to sit out the 2014-15 season per NCAA transfer rules, but that may actually work out for the best for both player and Sean Miller’s program. Anderson was expected to miss anywhere from four to six months after undergoing shoulder surgery earlier this spring, and the year in residency will give him the opportunity to get back to full strength for the 2015-16 season.

As for Arizona, with Brandon Ashley, Kaleb Tarczewski and incoming freshmen Craig Victor and Dusan Ristic at Miller’s disposal interior depth won’t be a concern for the clear favorites to win the Pac-12. But with Ashley and Tarczewski expected to be on the NBA radar after the 2014-15 season (the same can be said for wings Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Stanley Johnson), having a player who’s skilled and has Division I experience waiting in the wings will help the Wildcats should they suffer major personnel losses inside.

Anderson played just over 31 minutes per game as a junior, reaching double figures in points in 26 of the Eagles’ 32 games with six double-doubles. He’s essentially the third player committed to Arizona in 2015, with highly regarded prospects Tyler Dorsey and Justin Simon having verbally committed to join the program.

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