5 Things To Know About Mavs First Round Pick Justin Anderson

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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) -- The Dallas Mavericks drafted 6-foot-6 guard Justin Anderson with the 21st overall pick in Thursday's draft.

The Mavs must like Anderson, as the pick represented the first time Dallas has stayed put in the draft over the last 9 years.

Anderson projects as a shooting guard or small forward at the NBA level.

Here are 5 things to know about Anderson.

1. Improvement From Distance

During the 2013-14 season, Anderson shot just 29.4 percent from 3-point range. That's not good.

That number skyrocketed to 46.6 percent last season, as the 6-foot-6 guard was deadly from long distance. The Mavs lacked perimeter shooting last season. Perhaps he can help.

2. The Draft's Sleeper?

ESPN analyst Jay Bilas calls Anderson the sleeper of the draft.

3. An Accomplished Bench Player

Not everyone is capable of making a difference off the bench. Anderson is very familiar with the role.

He was named the ACC Sixth Man of the Year Award in his sophomore season, when he averaged 7.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists off the bench.

4. Hyped In High School

Anderson was the 2012 Gatorade Maryland Boys Basketball Player of the Year at Montrose Christian High School.

If Montrose Christian High School sounds familiar, it should. Kevin Durant is another notable alumni, as are Terrence Ross and Linas Kleiza.

He was also a member of the U.S. Junior National Team that won a gold medal in Germany in the summer of 2010.

5. An Injury History

Anderson missed eight games in his final season in Virginia due to a fractured finger and an appendectomy.

He returned in the ACC quarterfinals against Florida State.

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