Prospect Intro: 2023 Olivia Anderson (Ellensburg HS)
As the 2023 watchlist is currently under construction and growing, one name that is surely going to be on there is Olivia Anderson out of Ellensburg, WA. There is a lot of excitment surrounding the top tier of the 2023…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAs the 2023 watchlist is currently under construction and growing, one name that is surely going to be on there is Olivia Anderson out of Ellensburg, WA. There is a lot of excitment surrounding the top tier of the 2023 class in Washington and Olivia is at the forefront of a lot of the buzz. At a legitimate 6’4 and a 77 inch plus wingspan with the ability to hang from the rim with ease, she is already a sought after recruit before ever playing in a single high school game.
Olivia knew she wanted to play college basketball when she first started playing competitively in the 7th grade. With so many players specializing in competitive basketball at a younger age, that makes Olivia’s potential that much higher as she is barely scratching the surface. In her first spring and summer on the travel circuit during her 8th grade year, Olivia was an automatic impact player for the NW Blazers against some of the best 15u teams in the country. With her ability to run the floor, defend multiple positions, block shots and hit the 17 footer with solid form, she quickly caught the eye of college coaches from all around the country. The long list of schools already in contact with her includes Penn State, Michigan State, Oregon State, Gonzaga University, Butler University, Arizona State University, Hampton University, Yale, Texas Tech, Western Kentucky, University of Kentucky, Lehigh University, University of Missouri, Eastern Washington, and BYU. These are not just letters of interest in most cases, these are phone calls being set up and invites to get on campus. “Real interest” as I like to say. Olivia told Prep Girls Hoops, “It’s been extremely gratifying to have my hard work acknowledged by those I respect in the game.”
Olivia helped her Blazers team to the Heart of Texas National Showcase title, hitting the game winning shot during the Spring. By the end of Summer she was a major piece to helping the Blazers to a second place finish at the 15u adidas Nationals in Atlanta, GA. She also participated in the esteemed Future Stars USA event, which is an invite only showcase for the top 8th and 9th graders in the country. Olivia mentioned, “I enjoyed Future Stars USA as I learned how to play in high intensity situations, for large high-profile crowds, and with unfamiliar teammates.”
Despite all of her talent, potential and college following, Olivia is about as humble as they come and knows there is still a lot of work to be done. “I’d like to be stronger with the ball, improve my handling, and see an increase of confidence in my post moves.” Ellensburg is an absolute sleeper in the 2a division and have a core of young talent that should make them competitors for years to come. When it is all said and done, Olivia Anderson is a name everyone will know and she has an opportunity to put Ellensburg on the map in the coming years.