When the Texas Tech basketball season began, few people around West Texas, much less around America, were talking about Christian Anderson. However, less than three months later, the true freshman is gaining plenty of fans not only around Lubbock but across the country.
Anderson has played his best basketball in Big 12 action. That's not easy for a player experiencing the country's most rugged conference for the first time.
On the season, the Atlanta, Georgia native is averaging 9.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. But in Big 12 play, he's putting up averages of 10.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.
In nine non-conference games, he scored in double figures three times and none of those performances came against teams from a major conference. However, in seven Big 12 games, he's hit double figures four times.
That included an 18-point effort Tuesday night at Cincinnati in Tech's 81-71 win. That matched his 18-point effort against then-No. 3 Iowa State a few games prior as his best Big 12 scoring effort thus far.
Anderson has essentially replaced senior guard Kerwin Walton as Tech's fifth "starter". Sure, Walton is technically still starting but in Big 12 games, Anderson is averaging 29.4 minutes per game while Walton is getting only 9.5.
As Anderson has seen his role increase, his impact on the Red Raiders has grown exponentially. Time and time again the youngster has hit clutch shots, especially from 3-point range, to help the Red Raiders to a 5-2 start to conference action.
Thus, as you might expect, people around the country are starting to take notice of what Tech's freshman is doing. That was evident on social media following Tuesday night's win over the Bearcats.
Christian Anderson was excellent on both ends of the floor for Texas Tech in their road win at Cincy
— GREENLIGHT MEDIA (@greenlightbball) January 22, 2025
18 PTS | 3 AST | 3 STL | 5/9 FG
Red Raiders move to 5-2 in Big 12 play as Anderson continues to shine off the bench. Up to 43% (30-70) from 3 on the year. pic.twitter.com/yVdnKLFP1y
Texas Tech freshman Christian Anderson today in the win over Cincinnati
— nbadraftpoint (@nbadraftpoint) January 22, 2025
18 points
5 boards
3 assists
3 steals
5-9 FG
4-7 3P
4-5 FT
The freshman has looked awesome in his last few games as a big time scorer. In line for a potential sophomore jump pic.twitter.com/P3ecRNOIVr
6'2 G Christian Anderson was HUGE for Texas Tech today in a nice win at Cincinnati:
— Workin It Hoops (@workinithoops) January 22, 2025
• 18 PTS
• 5 REB
• 3 AST
• 3 STL
• 4/7 3PT
The freshman is a special player who is starting to get comfortable in the Big 12 - Anderson is averaging 13.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, & 2.0 STL on 61.1%… pic.twitter.com/lWHBveO1Zn
Christian Anderson.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 22, 2025
Buy Stock Now. https://t.co/p5Fk7hk0WW
Christian Anderson has looked really good for Texas Tech in these last few games
— nbadraftpoint (@nbadraftpoint) January 22, 2025
In line to potentially take a massive sophomore leap as a prospect next year
Christian Anderson has been a ton of fun this year. One of the rare players who you can see get better by the game. Even when the shot isn't falling, we're seeing his playmaking impact and effort never wane. VERY excited for what next year could look like for him.
— Tyler Metcalf (@tmetcalf11) January 22, 2025
Grant McCasland has done one of the best jobs that nobody is talking about at Texas Tech. And Christian Anderson? One of the most underrated freshman guards in America. Texas Tech looks like a bonafide tournament team... https://t.co/JBtCQtlzO9
— James Madden (@Jmadden1632) January 22, 2025
I'm telling y'all Christian Anderson is a total ⭐️
— Christian Odjakjian (@OdjHoops) January 22, 2025
Remember, Anderson was a steal as a recruit, literally. After he was committed to Michigan, Texas Tech was able to swoop in and bring the 4-star prospect to Lubbock.
But though he was highly regarded as a high school player, he was just the No. 123 player in the nation according to 247Sports.com. Thus, he wasn't lauded upon arrival in Lubbock and few people around the country had him projected to be a potential All-Big 12 newcomer.
However, that appears to be what Anderson is on track to be if he continues to play at his current pace. What's more, as he continues to dice up Big 12 competition, he's going to become a darling on the national scene as people around the country start to realize his potential.