User:Kingofthe352/Dante Anderson

Dante Dewitt Anderson was a young basketball phenom from Gainesville, Florida. Dante became nationally recognized in 2006 while on his way to superstardom. His career, and life, were both cut short on May 19th, 2007 in a tragic, single car, accident.

Early Life
Dante Anderson was born on June 30th, 1990 to Sheila Baker-Bell and Dewitt Anderson. He was born and raised in Gainesville, Florida. He is the fourth of six children; three sisters: Whantavia Nelson, Toy Baker, and Janta Bell; two brothers: Robert Baker and Benji Bell.

Career
Dante Anderson began playing basketball at the age of 7. Anderson attended P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School until the ninth grade when he then transferred to Gainesville High School (Florida) where, after a tryout, he was placed on the junior varsity team. Feeling his talent was above the JV level transferred a second time, finding home at Eastside High School (Gainesville, Florida) and earning a starting role on the varsity squad after the third game as a freshman. At the time of his death Anderson was heavily recruited by Illinois Fighting Illini, Missouri Tigers, Wake Forest Demon Deacons, and a host of other Division I Colleges and Universities.

A year later, as a sophomore, Anderson averaged 17 points per game and led his varsity team to the Florida High School Athletic Association class 5A championship. On March 1, 2006 in the semi-final game Anderson tallied 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists while going 4-of-6 from the field against a talented Lake Howell High School team that consisted of a powerful backcourt in Chandler Parsons (Florida Gators), Nick Calathes (Florida Gators), and Joey Rodriguez (VCU Rams). Two days later on March 3, 2006 in the Championship game against Tampa's George D. Chamberlain High School Anderson added 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting, along with 5 rebounds, to his résumé to be named the Most Valuable Player in the 5A FHSAA Finals.

After his performance, Anderson was invited to a host of individual camps. He also traveled with his AAU team, Jacksonville Lee Bulls, to compete in others. The most important camp for Anderson was the ABCD camp. Next Factors Camp is a gateway to the Reebok ABCD Camp and Anderson earned an invitation to attend. The catch to receiving an invite to the ABCD camp was to be among the top 3 players at the Next Factors Camp. Anderson used Next Factors to his full advantage earning a trip to Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey to attend Sonny Vaccaro's ABCD Camp in July 2006.

Dante Anderson wowed scouting coaches and camp associates alike in drills, as well as games, averaging 12.9 points (5th of all campers), 3.6 rebounds, 0.4 assists, 0.6 turnovers, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks, while shooting 52 percent from the field, and 31 percent three point shooting, further adding to his accomplishments by earning a spot on the roster for the Underclassmen All-Star game of the camp. However, Anderson didnt stop there, he led all scorers with 22 points in the All-Star game, including the three pointer with seconds left on the clock to send the game into overtime; although, it was in a losing effort as his White team was defeated by the Maroon squad 127-122 in overtime. Anderson's gameplay and great 3-point shooting was enough to get him named Co-MVP of the Underclassman All-Star Game along with Brandon Jennings, Devin Ebanks, and Chris Braswell.

Death
In the early morning hours of May 19, 2007 Dante Anderson and three other friends: Curtis Hampton Jr., Octavius Miller, and Reginald James were leaving a social event in downtown Gainesville, Florida. The white 2001 Crown Victoria that Anderson was driving south on Southwest 13th street/ Highway 441 swerved into the median and collided head on with a palm tree that uprooted and landed on the hood of the car. Anderson and Hampton both died. Miller and James each sustained injuries.

Legacy
Not only is Dante Anderson remembered by his close friends and family but www.floridaprospects.com created an annual Dante Anderson Memorial Invitational tournament that consists of 8-12 teams and is played in early January.