When Jim Christian was named Boston College’s head coach last week, he made a point of saying he would attempt to keep the team’s current core in place and build on it.
On Monday night Christian lost a big part of that core, as Ryan Anderson announced via Twitter that he would be leaving Chestnut Hill:
I have decided to transfer from BC. Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the last 3 yrs. Proud I was able to be an Eagle #RIPDK
— Ryan Anderson (@_AndersonBC12) April 7, 2014
A three-year starter for the Eagles, Anderson was former coach Steve Donahue’s best post player in 2013-14 when he averaged 14.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-9, 219-pound junior from Lakewood, Calif., was forced to play out of position at the 5 for much of last season after 7-footer Dennis Clifford missed the majority of the season due to injury.
Anderson confirmed his decision to transfer to ESPN Insider Jeff Goodman on Tuesday, Goodman tweeting:
BC forward Ryan Anderson told ESPN he'll transfer. Received release today. Will have shoulder surgery, sit next year, then play final year.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) April 8, 2014
Ryan Anderson is a California kid. Natural assumption is he heads back west, although he told me he just wants best fit.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) April 8, 2014
At his formal introduction on Tuesday, Christian was asked whether he talked to Anderson about leaving.
“We talked briefly,” he said. “Let’s face it, Ryan has done some great things at Boston College. In my conversation [with him] I let him know how much I would’ve loved to have coached him. I think he’s really, really good for the way I like to do things and I can help him, but again at the end of the day I want all the players to do what they think is best for them.”
Olivier Hanlan, BC’s star guard and the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2012-13, is considering leaving school early and entering the NBA draft. Tom Layman of the Boston Herald reported Monday that Hanlan hasn’t made a decision on that yet.
“We had a couple of great conversations,” Christian said when asked about Hanlan. “And we’ll continue to do so.”
Also, Maryland assistant coach Scott Spinelli is expected to take a similar position on Christian's staff, sources told ESPN.
Jack McCluskey is an editor for ESPN.com and a frequent contributor to ESPNBoston.com. Follow him on Twitter @jack_mccluskey.
