Anderson has his eyes on the prize: a future at UCLA

Jeremie Anderson of Anaheim Canyon dribbles a basketball with such expertise that it seems as if the ball is attached to his hand by wire.

Whether his eyes are open or closed, if he’s guarded or unguarded, Anderson maneuvers around a court with the assuredness of a professional.

This is no routine after-school activity for Anderson.

“I just love it out there, so I have to work at it and master my craft,” he said.

At 6 feet 3, the junior point guard has taken his game to such a level that UCLA Coach Ben Howland made Anderson the heir-apparent to point guard Darren Collison when he offered him a scholarship last September. Anderson accepted.

His leadership, court presence, ability to finish and strong defense have been on display all winter, helping Canyon (20-7) win its first league title since 1999. Twice the Comanches defeated longtime Century League power Villa Park, with Anderson disrupting and contributing at both ends of the court.

Tonight, he’ll lead the Comanches against visiting Riverside Arlington in a Southern Section Division I-A playoff opener.

“He can dominate a game getting 30 points and dominate a game getting 10 points,” Canyon Coach Nate Harrison said. “He’s the best defensive point guard in the county by far. He’s a great assist guy and can score when he wants.”

While many high-schoolers’ games are one-dimensional, Anderson seeks to be a complete player.

One time down court he’s guarding his man, then sagging off and blocking the shot of a different player. Another time he’s deflecting a pass, grabbing the ball and firing a pass to a teammate for a layup. Then he’s dribbling and pulling up to make a three-point basket from the top of the key.

Anderson is averaging 17.4 points, 5.3 assists and 5.8 rebounds. He has 40 blocked shots, which is rare for a point guard.

“He fits in what Ben Howland wants,” Harrison said. “He guards and he’s an unselfish kid.”

One revelation about Anderson is that when he was supposed to enter high school as a freshman, he was only 13 and stood 5-5, so his parents decided to have him repeat eighth grade to help him socially and athletically.

Anderson had a growth spurt, and all the fundamentals he learned to help him overcome his small size became stronger assets.

“I always thought it was possible I could be a top player,” he said. “I always had to compensate by using my dribbling, my body or using little tricks to help myself.”

Canyon fans wearing their “Tribe” T-shirts have become big Anderson supporters, chanting on occasion, “U-C-L-A,” after he makes a basket.

He knows he must continue to improve to fulfill his potential. He needs more consistency in his outside shooting, and his ability to stay on target as he dribbles down the key despite being bumped will depend on him developing more strength.

But Anderson understands where he is and where he wants to go.

Sometimes it’s risky to offer scholarships to players who are two or three years from reaching the college level. Coaches are expected to project how good someone will be as they add experience, size and strength.

In the case of Anderson, his qualities of unselfishness, court vision, dribbling skills and willingness to play defense make him an ideal point guard for this decade and beyond.

Eric Sondheimer can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com