Why is Texas Tech's Christian Anderson Jr. a potential draft steal?

In covering Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson for nearly six years, he’s always been driven to improve his craft and become the best version of himself that he could possibly be.

Anderson Jr. committed to Michigan at the age of 15 and has been a gifted scorer since a very young age. Fast forward to June of 2026, the former Texas Tech Red Raider has been in the first-round conversation all year long, and on Tuesday night, we will see if that becomes a reality.

Yes, many question how his size could translate in the NBA. Anyone with those concerns could look at his 67.4% conversion rate around the rim, along with his proven ability to create for himself and for those around him.

Anderson Jr. proved to be one of the nation’s most elite floor generals this past season. He is a very smart playmaker, as shown by his assist-to-turnover ratio, and was a very high-volume playmaker who averaged nearly 7.5 assists per game.

While showing off his ability to create as both a playmaker and scorer, he shot 41% from three, many of which his attempts were unassisted and created on his own.

As someone who has always stood out for his shooting ability, Anderson Jr. showed his worth this season as an all-around offensive talent who could plug in as a do-it-all type of guy.

He also tested very well at the combine and was one of the standouts, giving him plenty of buzz as a potential lottery prospect, but someone that I view will have an immediate NBA impact in more ways than just one.

For a guy who shot 41% on his threes and mixed in 7.5 assists per game, his numbers are astonishing. You can project a successful NBA career for him if his shooting continues to excel, as does his ability to create for everyone around him.

I think also his feel for the game. He’s also got the ability to be a lethal player in the P&R, whether it’s being able to let it fly off a screen, getting to his midrange, which he thrives in, or dropping it down and making a play for his teammates. The pros outweigh the cons for a player of this caliber.

Yes, to call a guy projected as a first-round selection a potential steal may be odd to many, but I feel as if Anderson Jr. has the potential to be one of this draft’s standout guys in a draft that is loaded with talent across the board.

Anderson Jr. is a lottery talent, and we will see where he lands on Tuesday night at the Barclays Center.