Report: Avery Anderson III Expected to Withdraw from NBA Draft Process
STILLWATER – It appears Mike Boynton and Co. should have their point guard for the upcoming 2022-23 season.
According to a report from Jeff Goodman, Oklahoma State point guard Avery Anderson III is expected to withdraw his name from the NBA Draft process, most likely returning for his senior season in Stillwater.
Anderson III entered his name into the Draft process in late April 2022 to try and get a gauge on what the NBA scouts thought about his game and what needs to be worked on. This marked the second time he tested the Draft waters as he entered following the 2020-21 season as well.
This past season as a junior, Anderson led the team in scoring as he averaged 12.1 points a game on 40% shooting from the field. He also shot 32% from beyond the 3-point line. The game against Iowa State on Jan. 26 was the best game of his career as he dropped a career-high 34 points on the Cyclones. He also recorded a career-best five made 3-pointers on 11 attempts and went 11-of-13 from the free throw line.
Those numbers come off a very similar sophomore season in which Anderson III averaged 12.2 points and 4.0 rebounds a game. However, it was down the stretch of the season in which really broke out nationally. He dropped three 20-plus point scoring performances in the final six games of the season, while averaging 19. 2 on nearly 53% shooting to end the season.
Boynton and Co. added three transfer guards following the 2021-22 season: John-Michael Wright from High Point, Caleb Asberry from Texas State and Russell Harrison from Louisiana-Monroe. That’s following Isaac Likekele grad transferring to Ohio State, Keylan Boone and Donovan Williams transferring to Pacific, Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe to Georgia, Rondel Walker in the portal and undecided and Bryce Williams graduating and exhausting his eligibility.
With Anderson III withdrawing from the Draft and most likely returning to Stillwater, the Cowboys will be at 12 scholarships for the upcoming season, including transfers and incoming freshman Quion Williams.