Trojan Anchor : Bulky Anchrum Provides Strength, Muscle on Inside

It comes to mind when someone sees bulky USC basketball player Tremayne Anchrum: There goes a tight end or a linebacker.

Those and quarterback were positions the former Denver prep star played before he chose basketball and accepted a USC scholarship.

The 6-foot-5 sophomore forward has been a major factor in the Trojans’ surprising surge into prominence.

When Coach George Raveling, upset by the Trojans’ slow start, replaced Lorenzo Orr in the starting lineup with Anchrum for the Nebraska game just before Christmas, it changed the season for the Trojans.

Anchrum, despite his lack of height, took over as the rebounding leader. And Orr apparently thrived on coming off the bench. He has shown considerably more fire and ability as a sub than as a starter.

As a result, the Trojans are an improved team. They have been outrebounding bigger teams, they have developed an inside game and, most important, they have been winning.

Going into tonight’s game at the Sports Arena against UCLA, the Trojans have won eight of their last 10. They are 4-2 in the Pacific 10 Conference and 11-4 overall.

And Anchrum has been the key.

He has led the Trojans in rebounding in seven of the 10 games he has started, all USC victories. He is the leading rebounder with an 8.6 average and has improved his scoring with more playing time. He also made two free throws in the closing seconds at Notre Dame to preserve the lead in a 77-74 victory.

“It was no big deal, switching Lorenzo and me,” Anchrum said. “I may be getting a little more playing time, but basically, things are the same. I like starting, but I think Lorenzo likes coming in off the bench. It gives him time to look over the players and see who he can beat inside.”

Anchrum had 15 rebounds in his first start, helping the Trojans defeat then-No. 17 Nebraska. But he had his biggest game last Saturday, when the Trojans fought off stubborn Stanford. With his mother and father in the Sports Arena audience, Anchrum had 18 points and 17 rebounds.

“This isn’t the first time my parents saw me play,” he said. “But it’s the first time they saw me play for any length of time. Most of last season, I didn’t play that much.”

As a freshman, Anchrum showed what the future might have in store in the opening game of the NCAA tournament. When Yamen Sanders got into early foul trouble, Anchrum was brought into the game against Northeast Louisiana. He made seven of eight shots, and the Trojans romped into the second round.

Anchrum said he had a soft body last season but spent the summer on a weightlifting program, gained 10 pounds to 235 and now describes himself as a hard body.

Several players he has encountered under the boards this season concur. Scott Haskin, the talented 6-11 Oregon State star, said he was amazed by the strength of Anchrum and Mark Boyd. And Stanford Coach Mike Montgomery commented on the way the two rebounders sent bodies flying.

It sounds as if football might be Anchrum’s favorite sport. It isn’t.

In his final season at Montbello High in Denver, he was the quarterback. He led the team to an 11-2 record, passing for 580 yards and running for 100, and played in the state final for the third year in a row.

But basketball is Anchrum’s first love. He was twice chosen “Mr. Colorado” as the outstanding prep athlete in the state. In three seasons at Montbello, Anchrum helped the team compile a 62-7 record.

“I never really liked football all that much,” he said. “I felt basketball was more glamorous. I watched the Final Four ever since I can remember. There’s another reason. They play more basketball games, and that means less practice.”

Anchrum is a coach’s dream. He never complains, he simply goes out and plays hard every game.

“Tremayne is a power forward in a big guard’s body,” Raveling said. “His ability to rebound is amazing. He’s one of those kids with a knack for knowing where the ball is going to be.

“I knew he was a great athlete and a star in two sports, but I kept hearing about his rebounding. He was playing in Phoenix so I went over there and charted him. In the first game, he had 12 rebounds in the first half and 19 for the game. The next game he had 21. I knew I wanted him.

“He is just a great human being. I’ve never heard him say anything bad about anyone. He’s an old-fashioned player. He just picks up his lunch pail and goes to work.

“I think he’s the type that only his parents will really know how good he is. The other night he had the quietest 18 points I ever saw. Nobody notices him. He just does the job.”