The Miami Heat have always prided themselves on player development, and once again, they’re in position to add another intriguing young piece to their roster. With a solid blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent like Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic-who’s already secured a rookie contract extension-the Heat are looking to build on their foundation. And with a mid-first-round pick in the upcoming draft, they’ve got a real shot to do just that.
According to a recent mock draft projection, Miami is slotted at No. 15 overall and is expected to select Texas Tech guard Christian Anderson. At just 19 years old, Anderson is already drawing comparisons to Darius Garland-a crafty, scoring-first point guard with a high basketball IQ. Garland’s career has been marked by flashes of brilliance when healthy, and Anderson appears to be cut from a similar cloth.
What’s making scouts take notice isn’t just Anderson’s scoring-though that part of his game is hard to ignore. He’s shooting a blistering 45.3% from beyond the arc, including a red-hot 8-of-10 performance against Baylor that turned heads.
And it’s not just heat-checks and isolation threes-his shot selection is smart, and his mechanics are smooth. He’s emerging as one of the top perimeter shooters in the class.
But Anderson’s game goes deeper than just shooting. His 33.5% assist rate points to a player who sees the floor well and makes the right reads.
He’s not the flashiest passer in the draft, but he’s effective-especially in pick-and-roll sets and drive-and-kick actions. He keeps the offense flowing, doesn’t force the issue, and plays within the system.
That kind of maturity at the college level is something Miami’s front office tends to value.
Anderson’s production at Texas Tech speaks for itself. He’s averaging 20.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game while shooting just under 50% from the field.
The Red Raiders are currently ranked No. 12 in the AP Top 25 with a 15-4 record, and Anderson has been a driving force behind that success. Not bad for a player who came into college as a three-star recruit.
For the Heat, the potential fit is clear. They’ve been searching for a long-term solution at point guard.
Terry Rozier was brought in to stabilize the position, but his impact has been inconsistent-and off-court issues have only complicated things further. If Miami decides to go guard in the first round again, pairing Anderson with last year’s first-round pick, Kasparas Jakucionis, could give the team a young, dynamic backcourt to grow with.
There’s also the looming question of Tyler Herro’s future in Miami. Trade rumors have been swirling for some time, and if the Heat do decide to move on from Herro, the need for another guard becomes even more pressing. Anderson, with his scoring punch and developing playmaking ability, could be part of the answer.
The Heat have made a name for themselves by finding value in the draft and developing players who fit their culture. Christian Anderson checks a lot of boxes-high basketball IQ, shooting ability, and a team-first mentality. If he’s still on the board at No. 15, don’t be surprised if Miami makes the call.