Orlando Summer League: Ryan Anderson Proving His Worth

On June 25th, arguably the biggest story of the day was the acquisition of eight-time all-star Vince Carter by the Orlando Magic from the New Jersey Nets in exchange for guard Rafer Alston, rookie sensation Courtney Lee, and veteran big man Tony Battie.

However, many have disregarded another another player that will put on a Magic jersey next season, forward Ryan Anderson.

With Carter being the focal point of the draft-day trade, the 6'10" California product has been regarded as just another piece of the puzzle that made the trade work.

In the 2008 NBA Draft, the Orlando Magic would have drafted Anderson if it wasn't for the pesky New Jersey Nets, who snatched him with the 21st overall pick. Which led the Magic to draft Courtney Lee with the 22nd overall pick.

After one season with the Nets, Anderson averaged 7.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He will now be shipped to the team that obviously still shows interest in the Sacramento, California native.

Being labeled as a side note in the blockbuster Vince Carter trade, Anderson might have been carrying a grudge on his shoulder entering the 2009 Orlando Summer League.

In the Summer League thus far with the Orlando Magic (2-2), Anderson has averaged 25.2 points per game, combining for 101 points through just four games. Along with Anderson's high scoring, he has also grabbed nearly 10 rebounds per game.

Orlando has always been a team that has been loaded with shooters, so naturally Anderson has excelled with his shooting touch thus far in the Orlando Summer League, shooting 54% from the field and 48 percent from beyond the arc.

Anderson has scored over 20 points in all four games, including a standout performance against the Boston Celtics in which the 21-year-old scored 33 points off 11-for-15 shooting to go along with 14 rebounds.

Anderson will try and continue his stellar play against Tyler Hansbrough and the Indiana Pacers today.