As a student at Dunbar High School, Mark Anderson’s perception of Sinclair Community College was not one of high regard.
“As a basketball player, you really thought (Sinclair) wasn’t a place to play and get exposed. But everything happens for a reason. I’m just glad it worked for me,” said the Sinclair Pride sophomore forward.
While on a loaded Dunbar squad that included Miami Heat guard Daqueon Cook, Anderson was rarely looked upon to carry the team.
“As a high school player, he played on an extremely talented team,” said Sinclair coach Jeff Price. “He did not have to do the things that we ask him to do.”
Schools such as Wright State and Seton Hall showed strong interest in the 6-foot-7 Anderson.
But after failing to earn a high-enough score on his ACT’s, Anderson chose to attend Wright State as a student and work his way on to the team as a walk-on. His journey at Wright State didn’t last long.
“I thought long and hard about it,” said Anderson about his decision to leave Wright State after one quarter. “I don’t think there was much sense for me to walk-on to a team where I know I’m better than most of the guys.”
After his departure from Wright State during the fall of ‘06, Anderson took Price’s scholarship offer the following summer.
“My statement to him was ‘when I see you walk into the gym, I’ll know you’re serious,'” Price said. “And then he came through those doors.”
The perception Sinclair once held in Anderson’s mind has drastically changed over the course of two seasons.
“It’s a good stepping stone,” said Anderson about Sinclair. “If you come down here and take care of business, it will take care of you.”
A learning experience
While at Sinclair, Anderson proved to himself that he could lead by example. Anderson claims he didn’t begin to tap into his potential until he landed at Sinclair.
“I came to a team where I had to learn how to be the leader,” Anderson said. “Coach Price was the first coach I ever really had who just put no limits on my game and my ability. He trusts me enough to just go out there and play like he knows I’m capable of.”
Anderson spent the majority of his court-time at Dunbar in the paint. Coming to Sinclair’s up-tempo style transitioned Anderson into his natural position.
“My true position is on the wing, but I can also play down low,” Anderson said. “Here, I’m doing a lot more shooting and taking guys off the dribble.”
“I had a lot of fun here,” said Anderson about his time at Sinclair. “I came here and took care of business and did what I came here to do.”
The next step
During his freshman season in 2007-08, Anderson averaged 25.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, earning an All-American honor and was named the OCCAC’s Player of the Year.
“Over the last two years, he has developed his game,” Price said. “Our guys rely on him to make big shots.”
As schools began to notice Anderson’s play at Sinclair, the offers rolled in.
After mulling offers from Marshall, West Virginia and Ohio, Anderson’s Division-I goal was met on Sept. 1 when he decided to move his game to Miami University in Oxford.
“They came on real strong this past summer,” Anderson said. “Division-I is what I always wanted to do. For a school to want me to come in and be their primary guy at the Division-I level, I don’t think you could really beat that.”
Miami’s location also held a lot of weight in Anderson’s decision.
“My family—and especially my mom (Toni)—can come see me play,” Anderson said.
Anderson still plans on taking classes throughout the spring and summer quarters at Sinclair. After that, he heads for Oxford to prove himself one more time.
Mark Anderson
2008-09 stats
24.8 points (third in Div. II)
11.5 rebounds (second in Div. II)
2.4 blocks (12th in Div. II)