Cal strikes again

Picking a school is never easy. Just ask Ryan Anderson. With close to 30 offers on the table, the 6-foot-10, 230-pound sweet shooting big man from El Dorado Hills, Calif., knew he had to pick just one. He did on Tuesday. The No. 145 ranked player in the class of 2006 is headed to the Pac-10.

Anderson, one of the more coveted players on the West Coast, decided he was ready to make his decision while on a trip to Cal. He verbally committed to the Bears on Tuesday according to Oak Ridge High School assistant coach Jason Barton.

"Cal is the total package for him," Barton said. "Obviously they have a great education and a first rate program there and I think he just fit in to that with his abilities. All around it was the best fit."

The Bears are getting a skilled big man in the 6-foot-10 Anderson. He led the Big Time tournament in scoring, never an easy feat, and he's one of the best face up big men in the country.

While on a visit with his family and Barton, Anderson told the Cal coaches that he was ready to be a part of the program.

"They are more of a family there and that is the level that I think struck a cord with (the Andersons)," Barton said. "Obviously they wanted him but they never pressured him and never asked him to commit early. Ryan was just very comfortable with the staff. He felt welcome when he was there. The players accepted him and made him feel like he was part of the family."

Anderson joins sharpshooter Patrick Christopher and Taylor Harrison in Cal's 2006 recruiting class, giving Ben Braun three instant impact players next season.