Ryan James Anderson (born May 6, 1988) is an American professional basketball player who plays for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Anderson was born in Sacramento, California. He attended Oak Ridge High School in nearby El Dorado Hills. Anderson was the boyfriend of former Bachelor contestant and model Gia Allemand, who died after a suicide attempt in August 2013.

In 2005, Anderson helped lead the Trojans to the Division II California State Championship, defeating Mater Dei High School. The game was held at Arco Arena in Sacramento. In the opening round of that playoff series, Anderson's number 1 ranked team narrowly averted an upset against a John H. Pitman High School team led by current NFL San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. In that game, Kaepernick scored 34 points, and Anderson scored 50 points.

In college, Anderson emerged as the University of California, Berkeley's best player. He led the Pacific-10 Conference in scoring in the 2007–2008 season, averaging 21.6 points per game (more than fellow Pac-10 first rounders O.J. Mayo, Kevin Love, Brook Lopez and Robin Lopez). Although California failed to reach the NCAA men's basketball tournament, they did receive a National Invitational Tournament bid.

On April 3, 2008, Anderson declared himself eligible for the 2008 NBA Draft.[3] He did not take an agent, leaving himself the option to return to Cal if he withdrew his name from the draft before June 16. On June 26, 2008, Anderson was drafted #21 overall by the New Jersey Nets in the first round of the NBA Draft. He made his debut on October 29, 2008, during the Nets 95–85 win against the Washington Wizards. Toward the beginning of March, he managed to earn the starting power forward spot.

On June 25, 2009, he was traded to the Orlando Magic along with Vince Carter in exchange for Rafer Alston, Tony Battie and Courtney Lee.[4] On October 27, 2009, the Orlando Magic picked up Anderson's contract option for the 2010–11 season.[5] Anderson began the 2009-10 NBA season as the starting power forward for the Magic, replacing a suspended Rashard Lewis. Anderson started well in the shortened 2011-12 NBA season, including a career high 30 point game against the New York Knicks. At the end of the season, he won the NBA Most Improved Player Award.

On July 11, 2012, Anderson was acquired in a sign-and-trade by the New Orleans Hornets for Gustavo Ayón.[6] In April 2013, the Hornets renamed themselves the Pelicans.

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