Cliff Buchan
News Editor

Sometimes opportunity knocks in the form of a telephone call from the kiwi nation.

So it has gone for Forest Lake resident and Minnesota State University Moorhead grad Chris Anderson who is now playing professional basketball in New Zealand. And all thanks to a phone call from way down under.

For the past week, Anderson, 24, a graduate of Benilde-St. Margaret High School, has been on the hardwoods for the St. Laurence Wellington Saints. He is a teammate of Nick Horvath, a Mounds View High School grad and Duke University product.

It was Horvathís telephone call and recommendation to his coaches that led to Andersonís quick departure from Moorhead to New Zealand. The two are old friends from their prep days and summer league basketball in the Twin Cities. When the Saints needed to fill a roster spot, Horvath suggested Anderson.

Anderson, the son of Dee Dee and Chuck Anderson, teachers in ISD 831, has earned a degree at Moorhead and completed his basketball eligibility.

ìSince Chris was in elementary school, his dream has been to be a professional basketball player,î Dee Dee Anderson said.

Anderson, a 6-foot-6 small forward for the Saints, was in Moorhead completing a health degree when the offer came. With encouragement from his professors, Anderson jumped at the opportunity and will complete his health degree in July when he returns to Minnesota.

ìFor Chris it is an opportunity of a lifetime,î said his father, Chuck, a former Forest Lake coach and an assistant basketball coach at Benilde-St. Margaretís.

Chris Anderson and Horvath are two ìimportsî who have helped the Saints make marked improvement. The Saints have climbed to fourth place in the National Basketball League standings in New Zealand.

Horvath, a sometimes starter at Duke during a five-year career and a player with NBA potential, recently scored 34 points in a St. Laurence victory.

Anderson, a lefty, has scored in double figures during recent games and dropped in key free throws late in the game as the Saints defeated the Waikato Pistons, 106-103.

Dream come true

ìThis is a dream come true,î Anderson told The Dominion Post of St. Laurence.

ìItís always been my dream to play professionally and this just fell in my lap.î

Anderson is the fourth American import to be signed by the Saints. Injuries cut down two and Anderson is hopeful his fortune will be better, his parents said this week.

After two weeks of life in a land far, far from home, he is still adjusting to his new life, his mother said.

He is receiving weekly compensation for his play plus a performance bonus for rebounding. Making the league playoffs will mean anther paycheck bonus.

The team is paying all living expenses.

Although far from home, Anderson could see a familiar face when the Saints play in league-leading Auckland.

Mike Chalberg, a Forest Lake High School graduate and University of Minnesota kicker who has returned to his native New Zealand, will be in the stands when the two teams play.

Chalberg, the nephew of Forest Lake High School math teacher Charlie Chalberg, returned home to start a business career.

Dee Dee and Chuck Anderson said Chris will take the season as it unfolds and weigh basketball options in other venues or possibly New Zealand once again later this summer.

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