Credit: Iowa State Communications
AMES, Iowa-The Iowa State men’s basketball program added immediate experience and toughness to its backcourt with the announcement that Darion “Jake” Anderson, a three-year starter with over 1,000 points at Northern Illinois, has signed a financial aid agreement to attend Iowa State University next year.
A native of Chicago, Ill., Anderson just finished his junior season with the Huskies, starting 28 games and averaging 10.6 points. Anderson, who redshirted his first year at NIU, is scheduled to graduate in the summer session. Pending graduation and a waiver from the NCAA, Anderson would immediately be eligible next season for the Cyclones.
“The chance to significantly improve our backcourt with the addition of Jake was something we could not pass up,” ISU head coach Fred Hoiberg said. “He has been in the trenches and knows what it takes to play Division I basketball. He has also proven to be a great scorer and we are looking forward to seeing Jake compete for playing time right away next year.”
The 6-2, 205-pound guard started 75 of 87 games for the Huskies the last three seasons, scoring 1,152 points, handing out 248 assists and accumulating 108 steals. He averaged 13.2 points and 5.5 rebounds in his career at NIU.
“Words can’t explain how I feel at this time,” Anderson said. “I am looking forward to getting together with the guys and try to win games next year. One thing I can help out with right away is assisting the freshmen with their transition from high school to college. But the thing I am really looking forward to is playing in front of those crazy fans. I have heard so much about the atmosphere at Hilton Coliseum and I want to give the fans something to cheer about.”
Anderson became the first NIU freshman in over 10 years to lead the team in scoring as a rookie in 2007-08, averaging 12.2 ppg. Anderson was named the 2008 Mid-American Freshman of the Year for his exploits.
His next season was his best, averaging 16.9 points while earning Second-Team All-Mid American Conference honors as a sophomore in 2009. The four-time MAC-West Player of the Week nominee ranked fourth in the league in scoring (16.9 ppg), 12th in rebounding (5.4 rpg) and 15th in assists (2.4 apg). He had eight 20-point scoring outings in 2008-09, including a career-high 32 points vs. Chicago State.
Anderson was named to the preseason All-MAC team heading into his junior season last year. He averaged 10.6 points and a career-best 6.0 rebounds in 2009-10. He also led the team in assists with 104.
His 1,152 career points ranks 18th all-time in NIU history.
