Bobcats Land Prep Stars
11/7/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
high school players, have signed national letters-of-intent to join the Montana State basketball
program next year.
Anderson is a 6-6, 180-lb shooting guard from Eagan, Minn., High. Eagan averaged 22 points
a game as a junior last year, shooting 42% from beyond the three-point arc and 86 from the
free throw line. Anderson was invited to Nike’s select camp this summer and is rated as one of
the top 75 players in the midwest in preseason recruiting reports. He played on the Howard
Pulley elite summer team after earning all-metro and all-state honors as a junior. He is a
two-time all-conference player.
"We’re excited to have Luke join our program," said MSU coach Mick Durham. "He is a
very talented, athletic big guard with a great attitude for the game. Our style of play fits Luke,
and our shooting guards have had a lot of success. He works extremely hard at his game and
loves to play, two traits that can only help a program. Our relationship with Coach (Kurt)
Vergin and the Eagan program has been strong, and it helped us land a good player." Bobcat
center Kyle Stirmlinger is an Eagan grad.
Anderson’s recruitment was surprising and well-documented, Durham said. "Luke went
through a lot during the recruiting process, including initially committing to Minnesota, but
we’re happy he’s found a home at Montana State."
Anderson’s high school coach, Kurt Virgin, lauded him as a well-rounded player. "The thing
that stands out about Luke is that he has tremendous range, a tremendous outside shot, and he
can hit that shot from deep," Virgin said. "He can really jump, he has a 35- or 36-inch vertical
jump, he can penetrate, he can shoot off the dribble. He’s just a tremendous offensive player.
And what people don’t know about him is that when he’s challenged he can lock it up on
defense."
Williams is a 6-8, 220-lb forward who can play both inside and outside. He averaged 15
points and 10 rebounds a game last year at North Salem, Ore., High for a 12-11 squad. He
shot 50% from the floor and 76% from the line last year, earning second team all-conference
honors.
"Jeff has very good perimeter skills, and feels very comfortable playing inside and outside,
which is how we ask our power forward to play," Durham said. "Jeff has very solid people
skills and will bring enthusiasm and a great attitude to our program. His best basketball is
ahead of him, and he’ll improve as he gains strength. He played with the Portland Legends, an
elite summer team, and comes from a very solid high school program led by veteran coach
Chuck Robinson which played for the state championship Jeff’s sophomore season."
"Jeff’s a player that is just loaded with talent and potential," said North coach Chuck
Robinson. "If he gains some strength he’s going to be an outstanding player. He is a good
athlete as well as a good basketball player. For a 6-8 guy, he can handle the ball, run the floor,
shoot the outside shot and post up."
Durham concurred on Williams’ potential, saying he fits the Bobcat style of play. "This staff has
been here long enough that we recruit the kind of player that fits our system. We ask our
power forward to step out on the perimeter and play outside, and Jeff has those skills,"
Durham said. "We’re fortunate to sign a player with Jeff’s size and skill level."
program next year.
Anderson is a 6-6, 180-lb shooting guard from Eagan, Minn., High. Eagan averaged 22 points
a game as a junior last year, shooting 42% from beyond the three-point arc and 86 from the
free throw line. Anderson was invited to Nike’s select camp this summer and is rated as one of
the top 75 players in the midwest in preseason recruiting reports. He played on the Howard
Pulley elite summer team after earning all-metro and all-state honors as a junior. He is a
two-time all-conference player.
"We’re excited to have Luke join our program," said MSU coach Mick Durham. "He is a
very talented, athletic big guard with a great attitude for the game. Our style of play fits Luke,
and our shooting guards have had a lot of success. He works extremely hard at his game and
loves to play, two traits that can only help a program. Our relationship with Coach (Kurt)
Vergin and the Eagan program has been strong, and it helped us land a good player." Bobcat
center Kyle Stirmlinger is an Eagan grad.
Anderson’s recruitment was surprising and well-documented, Durham said. "Luke went
through a lot during the recruiting process, including initially committing to Minnesota, but
we’re happy he’s found a home at Montana State."
Anderson’s high school coach, Kurt Virgin, lauded him as a well-rounded player. "The thing
that stands out about Luke is that he has tremendous range, a tremendous outside shot, and he
can hit that shot from deep," Virgin said. "He can really jump, he has a 35- or 36-inch vertical
jump, he can penetrate, he can shoot off the dribble. He’s just a tremendous offensive player.
And what people don’t know about him is that when he’s challenged he can lock it up on
defense."
Williams is a 6-8, 220-lb forward who can play both inside and outside. He averaged 15
points and 10 rebounds a game last year at North Salem, Ore., High for a 12-11 squad. He
shot 50% from the floor and 76% from the line last year, earning second team all-conference
honors.
"Jeff has very good perimeter skills, and feels very comfortable playing inside and outside,
which is how we ask our power forward to play," Durham said. "Jeff has very solid people
skills and will bring enthusiasm and a great attitude to our program. His best basketball is
ahead of him, and he’ll improve as he gains strength. He played with the Portland Legends, an
elite summer team, and comes from a very solid high school program led by veteran coach
Chuck Robinson which played for the state championship Jeff’s sophomore season."
"Jeff’s a player that is just loaded with talent and potential," said North coach Chuck
Robinson. "If he gains some strength he’s going to be an outstanding player. He is a good
athlete as well as a good basketball player. For a 6-8 guy, he can handle the ball, run the floor,
shoot the outside shot and post up."
Durham concurred on Williams’ potential, saying he fits the Bobcat style of play. "This staff has
been here long enough that we recruit the kind of player that fits our system. We ask our
power forward to step out on the perimeter and play outside, and Jeff has those skills,"
Durham said. "We’re fortunate to sign a player with Jeff’s size and skill level."
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