2015 NBA Draft: Virginia's Justin Anderson selected #21 by the Dallas Mavericks

Justin Anderson was drafted 21st overall by the Dallas Mavericks in tonight's 2015 NBA Draft.

Anderson is the first Virginia Cavalier to go in the first round since Cory Alexander was picked 29th overall in 1995. He's the third UVA player to be drafted in the past four years, as Mike Scott and Joe Harris both went early in the second round.  Anderson will play for former Hoo and current Mavs head coach Rick Carlisle:

Anderson said he received call from Dallas coach and fellow #UVA alum Rick Carlisle and "all he said is Wahoowa."

— Taft Coghill Jr. (@tcoghilljr) June 26, 2015

The late first-round selection is on the early side of where mock drafts projected.  The mocks we looked at had him anywhere from 21st to 29th, with the plurality putting him at #24.

Here's our full profile of Anderson. To summarize, the Mavericks are getting one of the draft's most athletic prospects, as he lit up the NBA Draft combine. He's developed into an outstanding shooter, raising his 3PT% from 29% his sophomore season to 45% his junior year. And he plays outstanding defense, turning chase-down blocks into a nightly occurrence at JPJ.  Finally, his "intangibles" are a major asset - Anderson has a high basketball IQ, works on his game harder than anyone, and plays with effort and energy.  (Yes, he'll be missed in Charlottesville).

Best of luck to Justin Anderson as he begins the next stage of his career - the Wahoo faithful will be cheering him on!