Mott Community College standout Doug Anderson talks about his backboard-shattering dunk

It's pretty rare for JUCO basketball players to make it on SportsCenter, but when you shatter a backboard (after weakening it with an array of dunks all season) like Mott Community College freshman Doug Anderson did this season, the national media takes notice. His above dunk got him the No. 7 spot on SportsCenter's Top 10 in March, but it was just one of many high-wire performances Anderson had this season.



Anderson, who garnered interest from several Division I programs this season, including Syracuse and Missouri, won a statewide college dunk contest at the Palace of Auburn Hills after the season and I caught up with him for a few questions afterwards:

Obviously, shattering a backboard is the epitome of dunking, but when you're in the air like that, is it hard to figure out how you're going to land without  falling flat on your back?

I didn't think I was going to get it ... and then I was falling down already. I just put it in and next thing I know I feel glass on my face. I knew exactly what happened. I hung on for a (second) and I saw everyone running. Then I tried to let go as fast as possible.

The first thing that jumps out about your game is obviously the athleticism, the dunks. Do you think people might underestimate other aspects of your game because of that?

Yeah, sometimes. Since college started, people are starting to respect the fact that I can shoot and take them off the dribble too. But mostly, I'm just looking to dunk because of my jumping ability.

Other than the backboard-breaker, any dunks in particular that are your favorites this year?

Yeah, I think our last home game, Sam (Burton) through it up, and I just felt like, my whole chest over the rim and dunked it on their whole team.


You're from Kalamazoo, but what are your impressions of Flint so far? There's a big basketball tradition here, and now you're a part of that playing at Mott.

It's nice, hearing about all of the people that came up outta here, and hopefully I'll be joining them.

You didn't have much competition in this dunk contest tonight. How much preparation did you put into it?

Everything in between (the first dunk and last dunk) just came to me from out of nowhere. I was actually trying to stick my elbow through the rim, but couldn't because I was too far away. "But I was like, 'hey, I still got a high score.

The first thing that jumps out about your game is obviously the athleticism, the dunks. Do you think people might underestimate other aspects of your game because of that?

Yeah, sometimes. Since college started, people are starting to respect the fact that I can shoot and take them off the dribble too. But mostly, I'm just looking to dunk because of my jumping ability.

As far as your career, looking ahead, what are your goals both at Mott and post-Mott?

Hopefully, if I do well here, got to a D-I school and do well there too. Then after that, hopefully go to The League (NBA) or if not, go overseas and play there for awhile.