David Andersen Basketball player Country: Australia

1. Biography of David Andersen
2. NBA Draft and Career in Europe
3. Move to Barcelona and NBA Career
4. International Career

Biography of David Andersen

David Andersen is an Australian professional basketball player who played as a center and power forward. He completed his training at the Australian Institute of Sport. In 1998, he signed his first professional contract with the Illawarra Hawks, where he played one season in the National Basketball League of Australia. In 1999, he moved to Europe and began playing for the Italian club Kinder Bologna. In 2001, he became a Euroleague champion for the first time.

NBA Draft and Career in Europe

In 2002, Andersen was selected in the NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks as the 37th overall pick, but he continued playing in Italy. He spent the 2003/2004 season with the Montepaschi Siena club before joining CSKA Moscow in 2004. During his four seasons with CSKA Moscow, Andersen gained a reputation as one of the best centers in Europe. Under the guidance of Italian coach Ettore Messina, who had previously worked with Andersen in Bologna, CSKA Moscow won the Euroleague championship in 2006 and 2008.

Move to Barcelona and NBA Career

In the summer of 2008, Andersen moved to FC Barcelona, becoming the first Australian player in the history of the team. On July 14, 2009, the Houston Rockets acquired Andersen's rights from the Atlanta Hawks for $2 million and a second-round draft pick. The Rockets' general manager, Daryl Morey, praised Andersen's versatility, especially his offensive skills and shooting ability for a player in his position. The Rockets paid Barcelona an additional $500,000 to buy out Andersen's contract and signed him to a two-year deal with a team option for a third year.

In his debut season in the NBA, Andersen played 63 games, averaging 5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds. On July 28, 2010, he was traded to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for a second-round draft pick in the 2015 draft. On November 20, 2010, Andersen was traded to the New Orleans Hornets along with Jarrett Jack and Marcus Banks in exchange for Jerryd Bayless and Predrag Stojaković. In June 2011, Andersen returned to the Italian club Montepaschi Siena. On August 16, 2012, he signed a contract with Fenerbahçe Ülker.

International Career

Andersen has been a member of the Australian national team since 1998. He initially represented the youth team in the Under-18 World Championship. He played for Australia in the 2004 (9th place) and 2008 (7th place) Summer Olympics.