Bob Knight, Archie Miller issue thoughtful statements following death of former IU star Eric Anderson
Legendary Indiana head coach Bob Knight and current Hoosiers head coach Archie Miller have issued statements on the sudden passing of former IU basketball star Eric Anderson.
News was reported of Anderson’s passing on Monday morning. He was 48.
Anderson played for Indiana from 1988-1992 under Knight. He was the 1989 B1G Freshman of the Year, an All-B1G selection in 1991 and was the West Regional Most Valuable Player during the Hoosiers’ run in the NCAA Tournament.
“Eric was an outstanding player for us, right from the start,” Knight said in a statement released through Indiana University. “A four-year starter who was instrumental on some excellent, championship teams and a good friend to all of those guys who played with him. It’s tragic to hear of his passing.”
Though Anderson played at Indiana over two decades ago, Miller said that he was still supportive of the program.
“Sad to hear the passing of former IU great Eric Anderson,” Miller wrote on Twitter. “I really appreciated how he embraced me coming to IU, communicated after games, him coming back last year to our reunion game and then this June to French Lick was awesome! RIP Big E. Thoughts and Prayers to ALL!”
Prior to attending Indiana, Anderson was a Mr. Basketball for the state of Illinois. He was also a McDonald’s All-American out of high school.
Anderson finished his career with the Hoosiers with 1,715 points and 825 rebounds. He had a two-year NBA career, playing with the New York Knicks from 1992-1994.