June 16, 2008
After announcing his decision to remain in the NBA Draft, Ryan Anderson addressed area reporters. Below are some of his comments regarding the process.
On his decision to turn pro:
"This process was very beneficial to me. I got really positive feedback from all of these teams. It was pretty clear that these teams were telling me that I would be a first round pick. That's definitely what I wanted to hear through this process. They're telling me, `Ryan, you're an NBA player.' Definitely, I feel like this was the best possible situation for me because I just feel like I'm ready and that I should take that jump. Cal has been amazing for me. It's opened so many doors for me and I'm so grateful for coach [Ben] Braun and the coaching staff, as well as coach [Mike] Montgomery helping me out with this process and giving his feedback. It was a tough decision. Especially with the greatness that coach Montgomery carries along with him, as well as just being with my buddies and being with the guys at Cal that I'm really comfortable with and used to. It's definitely going to be a great team next year. I'm really appreciative of the college experience that I've had and I feel that I'm ready to go to the next level and see where the NBA takes me. I'm excited."
On the decision-making process:
"This decision was the hardest I've maybe ever had to make. Basically, the tipping point was my parents. They had a lot of supportive comments to say, and whatever I want is what they want. Ultimately, with all the feedback we gathered, these teams were telling me pretty consistently that I was going to be a 17-25 pick. There's always a possibility I could be pushed to the second round, but ultimately I had to find myself comfortable in making this decision. I'm definitely comfortable where I'm drafted because I feel like I have that NBA game that can take me to the next level. I was really thinking about it and I realized that if I went back to Cal, all these great things could happen. All these amazing accolades, but that's not really what it's about for me. If I went back to Cal, I would be going back because it's something that's comfortable and something that I know I'd be right back in the system there and I'd be with all my buddies. But I realized that in taking new jumps, too, to different levels, like from high school to college, I was nervous. I didn't know anybody. There's always that feeling of nervousness going into a new process and that was the only thing really holding me back from really taking that jump to the NBA. I kind of looked past that and realized this is something I've always wanted to do. It's a dream for me. I'm getting great feedback and I've been playing really well in these workouts so I should keep my name in."
On when he made his decision:
"We talked about it a lot yesterday [Sunday], about my decision. We went back and forth like crazy because I keep hearing that either would be a good decision. It was just really tough for me. I just prayed about it and slept on it. This morning it was clear to me that the NBA is something I should go for."
On the reaction of his Cal teammates:
"It was definitely tough calling all those guys because they're all my best friends. They were all incredibly supportive. They definitely said it would have been great to have me back, but they were excited for me. Everybody really was. They're just happy for me and know that the NBA is something not everybody gets a chance to do, so they're very supportive and excited for me. I hope to see some of those guys with me next year."
What is a harder decision with a new coach at Cal?
"I made the decision [to test the NBA waters] without knowing that Montgomery [was going to be the new head coach]. That's exactly what I did - I tested the waters and I got all this great feedback and performed really well in these workouts. If anything, it made the decision harder that Montgomery was the new head coach because I knew that he was going to direct an immediate change and I knew that he was going to bring this team to be a winning program. He has this mentality that he wants Cal to be on the map. He wants it to be at tournament team, and all that stuff is just amazing to hear, it's great to hear. He's helped me out so much during this process. If anything, it really made my decision that much harder. I was back and forth unbelievably. I've come to the right decision that my family and I, and my trainer and my AAU coach feel is the best possible situation for me."
