FCBARCELONA.CAT

21.06.2008 16:24

Makings of a winner

Carles Cascante

At 2.12 m tall, this 28 year old centre has been one of the most decisive players in European basketball in recent years. An Australian by birth but with a Danish passport, he is the second signing for the Barça 08/09 side.

David Andersen has spent the last four seasons at CSKA Moscow and has come to Barça with the goal of winning more titles. With the Russian outfit he has won two Euroleagues (2006 and 2008) and was one of the key figures in the club’s offence. He also won a Euroleague title previously at Virtus Bologna (1999-2003). The Italian side was his first venture into Europe and the title was won in the 2000/01 season. After Bologna he spent a short while at Montepaschi Siena (2003/04), where he won the Italian League.

This season David Andersen has averaged 24.28 minutes and 12.8 points. His rebound average was 5.8 in his 25 Euroleague games.

Title after title

David Andersen has been winning titles ever since he arrived at Bologna from the Wollongong Hawks in the Australian League. In Italy he won two league titles (2000/01 with Virtus and 2003/04 with Montepaschi) and two Cups (both with Virtus, 2001 and 2002). But the bulk of his titles came at CSKA Moscow: four consecutive Leagues (2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2007/08), three Cups (2005/2006 and 2007) and two Euroleagues (2006 and 2008).

He has also stood out individually, being named MVP on matchdays 14, 15 and 17 of the Euroleague in 2004/05, the same season in which he was chosen for the ideal five for the championship.

An international with Australia, he has played at all levels and with the senior side won the gold medal at the Oceania Championships in 2005 and 2007. He also played in the 2004 Olympics.

Best results

His stats in the Euroleague are impressive. For instance, in the 2005/06 season he scored 30 points against the Skyliners, playing 39 minutes and getting an overall rating of 45. As for rebounds, in which he’s something of a specialist, his best result was 15 against Panathinaikos, also in the 2005/06 campaign.