Athlete of the Week: James Anderson, Troy Christian High School

Name: James Anderson

School: Troy Christian

Grade: Senior

Age: 18

Sport: Basketball

Claim to fame/honors: Surpassed 1,000 career points in 44-42 win over Dayton Christian; averaged 19 points and 12 rebounds as a junior; first-team All-Southwest District and conference player of the year as a junior; averaging 19 points and 11 points this season; committed to play at University of St. Francis (Ft. Wayne, Ind.); will major in business

Bet you didn’t know … I wear a size-16 shoe

Words you live by: Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard

Toughest opponent: Dayton Christian

Biggest influence: My coach, Ray) Zawadzki

Game-day rituals: Drink pickle juice before every game; it helps prevent cramping

What’s on your bedroom walls? Posters of LeBron James and Shaq; AAU tournament medals

When I’m bored I like to … play xBox

Favorite movie: The Avengers

Person who would play you in a movie: Will Smith

Favorite TV show: Stranger Things

Favorite musical artist: Drake

I can’t live without: Food

I can live without: Haters

Event you’d like to attend: NBA game

Favorite book: Lord of the Flies

Favorite home-cooked meal: Spaghetti

Favorite restaurant: Outback Steakhouse

Favorite smell: Old Spice Swagger

Favorite cereal: Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Store where you’d like a shopping spree: Foot Locker

Vegetable you won’t eat: Celery

I’d love to trade places for a day with … LeBron James

Whose mind would you like to read? Steve Kerr or Gregg Popovich

Place where you’d love to travel? Fiji

Talent you’d like to have? Singing

Favorite school subject: Math

Favorite athlete: DeMarcus Cousins

Favorite team: Oklahoma City Thunder

Favorite Olympic sport: Swimming

Something in the world I’d like to change: Hate

Favorite sports moment: Hitting my 1,000 points

Favorite junk food: Cheetos

Best thing about basketball: Love being with a great group of guys, spending time with them and getting better every day

In 10 years, I hope to be … having a good job, nice family and a good life

Nominate an Athlete of the Week: Send an email to freelance writer Dave Lamb at d_lamb@msn.com. Please include the athlete's name, school, sport and a phone number or email address where we can reach that athlete. Please include Athlete of the Week in the subject line.

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