Anderson

After accepting a basketball scholarship to New Jersey-based Rutgers Prep, former Jamaica Under-16 netball promise Marvadene Anderson is already grabbing the headlines even as she continues to learn her new sport.

Anderson, who towers above her peers with her 6' 9"/210lb frame, made the switch from netball to basketball recently and has only been playing the sport for two months. She has, however, attracted a lot of attention because of her height and encouraging performances on the court.

Though not the most accurate shooter, as a goal attack, Anderson could not be contained during her netball-playing days, and after making the switch, she is continuing to provide problems for her opponents.

The New York Post quoted Rutgers coach Mary Coyle-Klinger expressing certainty that the former Edwin Allen High School student will become a staple in her adopted sport.

first official game

"Of course, she is going to be a star, she's a natural. She's only been playing two months and it's amazing how well she's adapted," said Coyle-Klinger after watching Anderson score six points in her first official game on in early December.

"I don't know if anybody can stop her with her physical presence," Klinger added. "The only one who's going to stop her is herself," Coyle-Klinger added.

Coyle-Klinger's twin sister and former WNBA coach Patty Coyle believes the sky is the limit for the giant 16-year-old.

"She's a blank slate right now, so whatever you teach her is going to be the foundation for her. She has to get in shape," Coyle said, "but the difference in her in two months is unbelievable. She's young, she's raw, but there's a very high ceiling."

Britain's The Sun, also reported on Anderson's development as a budding basketball star and pointed out that 16-year-old is taller than England footballer Peter Crouch, who at 6' 7", is one of the tallest footballers in the world.

Such is her impact, that several college scouts have already made contact with Rutgers and have demonstrated an interest in the St Elizabeth native.

new environment

Anderson, who is actually taller than popular basketballers such as Lebron James and Kobe Bryant, is enjoying the experience and has settled well in her new environment.

"Everyone has come up to me and asked if I play college basketball. I told them I'm only a sophomore in high school. They gasped when I told them," said Anderson. "People are friendly with me because of my height and my personality. If I was tall and mean, I think I'd have a problem."