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Get to Know Men's Basketball's Nolen Anderson
7/13/2026 10:25:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nolen Anderson hails from Eden Prairie, Minn., and played for Wayzata High School and DI Minnesota. A four-star recruit and Mr. Basketball finalist, Anderson scored 1,839 points during his high school career, including 707 as a senior. Anderson helped Wayzata win a state title his junior season and ranked second on the team in scoring. Playing with current Gopher teammate Cedric Tomes and D1 Minnesota, the two helped his team finish as an as an Adidas 3SSB national runner-up. Anderson becomes the second in his family to play with the Gopher men's basketball team as his grandpa, Marlo Miller, played from 1957-60. Read more about the freshman in this question/answer session.
Why Minnesota?
The coaching staff, who they are and the relationship I have with them. I felt their system was the best fit for me and obviously a huge bonus that my hometown is 30 minutes away from here. Just having the ability to have family and friends come to the game is super nice. Mostly, the coaching staff and the relationships I built with them.
You played with Cedric Tomes in AAU, talk about both of you coming in as freshman and from Minnesota this season together.
It's been amazing, I've been able to play with Cedric since my eighth-grade year. Just learning about him and who he is as a person, how he plays basketball and obviously growing together has been amazing. Having all that knowledge previously before even coming here has been awesome. When I'm out on the court we've already been doing this for four years and know the type of guy he is and how he plays.
How has the transition been for you coming from high school/AAU to college so far this summer?
It's been a little bit of a wake up. Obviously there's a lot to learn on offense and defense and it is new. Having an open mind and being able to learn, make mistakes and grow from them. It's been awesome and I'm loving it. It's fun coming here every day even though we have long hours. It's been a lot of fun.
What's the best piece of advice or what you've learned from a coach or teammate so far this summer?
Take advantage of every opportunity you get. When they come by, don't miss your opportunity or take a play off. Just being able to go out there and give it your all. You never know when your chance is going to come so staying ready and being prepared.
You come from a pretty athletic family. Talk about the basketball connection and is that always the sport you knew you'd probably play?
My mom played Division I basketball at Drake. She played here at Bloomington Jefferson (High School). She had quite the resume and tells me about it. She obviously is my role model and I look up to her a bunch. She's the one that got me playing basketball. Before her, my grandpa played at the University of Minnesota in the 1950s. He always told me to keep shooting. All my siblings played, I have a twin brother, older sister, they all played basketball. I played all three: basketball, football and baseball. Once I got to high school, I realized I had a shot and God-given ability to play basketball at a high level so chose that since my freshman year.
You mentioned your grandpa, Marlo Miller, played basketball also at Minnesota. Before his passing, did he have any advice or stories he shared from his time here?
One story he told me he had a rough sophomore to junior year and he was trying to be a shooter from the outside and they didn't have three-pointers back then. He eventually got the trust of his coach to start shooting more and he started making shots. He had this two-handed set shot when I used to shoot with him and it would make me laugh. Overall, he had a great experience playing here and he loved it. I know he would have been happy to see me here as well.
What are you most excited about this upcoming season?
Just to experience it all. I'm a freshman and haven't experienced anything like this before. I'm excited to do it with the group of guys we have and just get to know them better and learn as well in basketball. I'm excited to see how good we can be and how high we can set the bar. That's what I'm most looking forward to.
Favorite Food: Pizza. Pepperoni for sure.
Favorite Movie: Stepbrothers or Happy Gilmore
Best sports memory to date: Winning the Minnesota State High School championship with Wayzata my junior year at the Barn. I won't forget that.
If I wasn't playing basketball: I'd 100 percent be playing baseball and pitching. I really miss baseball. I wish I could keep playing. The other would be a pro fisherman. I love fishing and I go all the time.
Favorite NBA Team: Timberwolves. Gotta stay with the hometown team here.
Why Minnesota?
The coaching staff, who they are and the relationship I have with them. I felt their system was the best fit for me and obviously a huge bonus that my hometown is 30 minutes away from here. Just having the ability to have family and friends come to the game is super nice. Mostly, the coaching staff and the relationships I built with them.
You played with Cedric Tomes in AAU, talk about both of you coming in as freshman and from Minnesota this season together.
It's been amazing, I've been able to play with Cedric since my eighth-grade year. Just learning about him and who he is as a person, how he plays basketball and obviously growing together has been amazing. Having all that knowledge previously before even coming here has been awesome. When I'm out on the court we've already been doing this for four years and know the type of guy he is and how he plays.
How has the transition been for you coming from high school/AAU to college so far this summer?
It's been a little bit of a wake up. Obviously there's a lot to learn on offense and defense and it is new. Having an open mind and being able to learn, make mistakes and grow from them. It's been awesome and I'm loving it. It's fun coming here every day even though we have long hours. It's been a lot of fun.
What's the best piece of advice or what you've learned from a coach or teammate so far this summer?
Take advantage of every opportunity you get. When they come by, don't miss your opportunity or take a play off. Just being able to go out there and give it your all. You never know when your chance is going to come so staying ready and being prepared.
You come from a pretty athletic family. Talk about the basketball connection and is that always the sport you knew you'd probably play?
My mom played Division I basketball at Drake. She played here at Bloomington Jefferson (High School). She had quite the resume and tells me about it. She obviously is my role model and I look up to her a bunch. She's the one that got me playing basketball. Before her, my grandpa played at the University of Minnesota in the 1950s. He always told me to keep shooting. All my siblings played, I have a twin brother, older sister, they all played basketball. I played all three: basketball, football and baseball. Once I got to high school, I realized I had a shot and God-given ability to play basketball at a high level so chose that since my freshman year.
You mentioned your grandpa, Marlo Miller, played basketball also at Minnesota. Before his passing, did he have any advice or stories he shared from his time here?
One story he told me he had a rough sophomore to junior year and he was trying to be a shooter from the outside and they didn't have three-pointers back then. He eventually got the trust of his coach to start shooting more and he started making shots. He had this two-handed set shot when I used to shoot with him and it would make me laugh. Overall, he had a great experience playing here and he loved it. I know he would have been happy to see me here as well.
What are you most excited about this upcoming season?
Just to experience it all. I'm a freshman and haven't experienced anything like this before. I'm excited to do it with the group of guys we have and just get to know them better and learn as well in basketball. I'm excited to see how good we can be and how high we can set the bar. That's what I'm most looking forward to.
Favorite Food: Pizza. Pepperoni for sure.
Favorite Movie: Stepbrothers or Happy Gilmore
Best sports memory to date: Winning the Minnesota State High School championship with Wayzata my junior year at the Barn. I won't forget that.
If I wasn't playing basketball: I'd 100 percent be playing baseball and pitching. I really miss baseball. I wish I could keep playing. The other would be a pro fisherman. I love fishing and I go all the time.
Favorite NBA Team: Timberwolves. Gotta stay with the hometown team here.
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