Benny Anders

Benny Anders was a star player at the University of Houston during the early 1980s and a member of the school's so-called Phi Slama Jama basketball fraternity that included Akeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Michael Young, Alvin Franklin, Reid Gettys, and Larry Micheaux.

Career

High School

A cousin of former NBA legend Willis Reed, Anders was an all-state high school player in Bernice, Louisiana. In high school, Anders earned the nickname "The Outlaw."

College

At the University of Houston, Anders, who wore #32, was part of the great Guy Lewis-coached Cougar teams that featured Olajuwom and Drexler, both of whom would later rank among the top 50 NBA players of all time.

In Houston's 1983 NCAA championship game against North Carolina State University, Anders scored 10 points of 4 of 9 shooting from the field.

On December 26, 1983, Anders, a 6-foot-5 guard/forward who was Micheaux once described as "the best athlete on the team," left the University of Houston after complaining about a lack of playing time. He returned a month later.

Something of a curiosity, at the 1984 Final Four in Seattle, Anders arrived wearing a tux with a pink bow-tie and cummerbund and sunglasses. After the University of Kentucky was eliminated from the tournament, their Wildcat fans adopted Anders, hoisting signs that read "Benny Anders for President."

In August 1985, Anders was sentenced to probation after pleading no contest to a charge of possessing a firearm on school property, according to the New York Times.

His whereabouts to this day are unknown.

Professional

Following his collegiate career, Anders played professionally in Europe, the Philippines, and South America.