Vanderbilt to retire Anderson's jersey

Jan. 20, 2011

Anderson’s Hall of Fame Induction | media_icon_photogallery.gif Photos of Anderson | Thursday’s Game Preview

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt athletics officials have announced that the Commodores will retire the jersey of two-time Kodak All-American and all-time leading scorer Chantelle Anderson (2000-03) in a halftime ceremony during the Tennessee game on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011.

“We have only retired three jerseys in our history up to now and Chantelle Anderson’s career puts her in that rare company,” Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor David Williams said. “She is our all-time leading scorer, she is our only multiple Kodak All-America recipient and she is a charter member of our Athletic Hall of Fame. She represents the best of Vanderbilt Athletics and we are very excited to hang a replica of her jersey among our all-time greats.”

andersonhof.jpgIn addition to the retirement ceremony at the Tennessee game, scheduled for 5 p.m. CT on ESPNU at Memorial Gymnasium, Vanderbilt athletics is hosting a reunion event for former Commodore women’s basketball players. Returning players will be invited to a pregame reception and recognized at halftime of the game. Former Commodores interested in attending the reunion should contact Allison Bradley at 615/343-0245 or allison.bradley@vanderbilt.edu.

Anderson, who wore 21 at Vanderbilt, becomes the fourth player and second female to have her jersey retired, joining Clyde Lee (43) and Perry Wallace (25) on the men’s side and Wendy Scholtens (40) from the women’s team. Anderson’s jersey retirement ceremony will be the first since Wallace’s in 2004.

“I am beyond excited,” Anderson said. “Having my name hanging in the rafters at a school like Vanderbilt with such a rich tradition is the highest honor. It started with a goal freshman year before I ever played a college basketball game and I thank God for blessing me with so many wonderful people who helped make it happen. It really is amazing to me.”

A part of Vanderbilt’s inaugural Hall of Fame class in 2008, Anderson is the program’s most decorated player. A native of Vancouver, Wash., the 6-foot-6 Anderson scored 2,604 career points, which is more than any player in school history — male or female.

Anderson was a Kodak All-America and U.S. Basketball Writers Association All-America selection in 2002 and 2003. Anderson was also a three-time Associated Press All-American (2001 & 2002 First Team; 2003 Second Team).

Over her four-year career at Vanderbilt, Anderson averaged 19.0 points and 6.0 rebounds. Her field-goal percentage of 65.1 remains the best in school history and is tied for the highest mark in SEC history. She also holds the school record for career field goals with 1,020.

Anderson was named SEC Player of the Year in 2002 and was a first team All-SEC selection in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Nationally, Anderson was a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award in 2003, was a Naismith Player of the Year finalist in 2001, 2002 and 2003 and was a Wade Trophy finalist in 2002 and 2003. In 2002, Anderson was named Center of the Year by ESPN.

Following her Vanderbilt career, Anderson was the No. 2 player selected in the 2003 WNBA Draft and played in the WNBA through 2009.

Anderson is currently in her first season as an assistant basketball coach at Palm Beach Atlantic.

The former Commodore is also in the finishing stages of publishing an autobiography, The Sane Side of Crazy, which is due out next year. Vanderbilt University Press is publishing the book.

Vanderbilt’s official policy regarding the retirement of a jersey is that the athletic administration may elect to retire a jersey/uniform (as opposed to a number) to honor a former student-athlete’s exceptional athletics career at Vanderbilt University.

Anderson donned No. 21 during her Vanderbilt career — a number that is currently worn by redshirt freshman Stephanie Holzer. Since Vanderbilt retires jerseys and not numbers, 21 will remain active for future student-athletes to wear.