Top Amador Valley transfer Cameron Anderson still sidelined by NCS ruling

PLEASANT HILL — Cameron Anderson was poised to have a breakout senior year for Amador Valley this season. 

A dominant two-way transfer from Dublin High, the 6-foot-7 center was supposed to be the centerpiece to an Amador Valley team that was the early favorite to win the East Bay Athletic League and possibly contend for a North Coast Section Open Division title. 

The Dons are now 20 games into the season and Anderson has yet to touch the floor. 

According to coach Willis Gardner, Anderson was ruled ineligible to play by the NCS and the senior is appealing the ruling.

Anderson – the son of former Oakland Raider Courtney Anderson Sr. – told the Bay Area News Group before the season that the family had moved to Pleasanton prior to the school year and wanted to play for the local high school he lived by.

When asked what the reason was for Anderson becoming ineligible, Gardner and Amador Valley officials declined to comment. 

With each game passing and Anderson’s appeal process taking longer and longer to get resolved, there has been growing frustration from Gardner and the program toward those in control of Anderson’s eligibility. 

“I think it’s unfortunate that a kid who lives and has lived in this area next to Amador Valley wants to play basketball for his local school and has not been able to do it, ” Gardner told this news organization on Monday. “I’m sad that they’re taking away Cam’s opportunity for a basketball future. I’ve had multiple college coaches reach out asking when he will be playing because they need to see him before they offer him a scholarship.” 

This season was going to be crucially important for Anderson, who is currently an unsigned senior. ESPN has Anderson as a three-star recruit and as the 24th-best player in the state. 

NCS commissioner Pat Cruickshank declined to speak about Anderson, citing the section’s policy not to comment on any specific transfer cases. 

Anderson was one of three high-level transfers that Amador Valley had on its roster going into this season, alongside Salesian transfer Elijah Stanley, who was cleared to play right away and former American High standout Arman Mahavni, who got clearance later in the season. 

A versatile big man with elite shot blocking ability and a soft touch, Anderson was slated to be the missing piece to a team that also had two Division I level guards in Jaylen Smith and San Jose State commit Cade Krueger. Anderson averaged 13 points and 6.7 rebounds per game for Dublin last season and was an EBAL first-team selection.

“I don’t think he knows how good he is, and when he figures it out, we’re in trouble,” San Ramon Valley coach Brian Botteen said of Anderson last season. 

Amador Valley knew Anderson might not get to play to start the season, but there was optimism that he would be cleared to play sometime in late December. However, when Amador Valley opened EBAL play on Jan. 9 against Livermore, Anderson attended the contest in street clothes, raising more concerns about his eligibility long term as most sit-out periods end right before the league season starts. 

According to Gardner, Anderson held a meeting with CIF NCS representatives for his appeal two weeks ago. The school has not yet heard back on the status of Anderson’s appeal. 

Without Anderson, the Dons have still been one of the better teams in the area. The Pleasanton school has quality wins over Liberty, Clovis East, St. Mary’s-Berkeley and Granada. 

But the lack of a defensive presence inside has shown in losses to Livermore, Modesto Christian and to nationally-ranked Arizona powerhouse Sunnyslope – a game in which the Dons led until the final three minutes. 

Anderson is the third Dublin standout to leave the program in the last two seasons. Last year, star Jalen Stokes — who won his appeal — left Dublin to play at rival school Dougherty Valley. Jaiden Jones, who was Anderson’s teammate at Dublin last year, is currently at California and was cleared to play immediately. 

Gardner said Anderson’s ineligibility has taken a toll on him emotionally. 

“He’s having a hard time right now,” Gardner said. “He still smiles. He’s a great kid. But it’s hard to be in good spirits when the thing you love is taken away from you. I can see if there’s something bad or shady about this situation, but we looked into everything and this kid should be eligible and playing.” 

For now, Amador Valley is still holding out hope that Anderson can come back sometime before the postseason. The Dons have six more regular season games left and are a lock to make the North Coast Section postseason after reaching the 13-win mark. 

But should Anderson come back, getting him acclimated for a postseason run won’t be easy. 

“When he does come back, we have to restart,” Gardner said. “He plays a different role than anybody, but he’s got to be able to get his feet under him. I just hate that if he does come back, it’s so late. We’ll make it work. He’ll do the best he can do. I’m just grateful to have him in my program.”