Former Desert Vista Star, All-American Makes Homecoming

Story by Andrew Bell

The 2015 Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year was back in the Valley of the Sun over the weekend.

Kristine Anigwe, now a senior at Cal in an elite Pac-12 women’s basketball conference, was shining at Desert Vista High School just four years ago. At DV, Anigwe was a McDonald’s All-American and she was rated as the No. 1 post player in the country by ESPN HoopGurlz. She was also the No. 8 overall recruit nationally.

In her senior season, Anigwe posted 21.1 points per game and 11.3 rebounds. Her skill set was highly valued by many college programs. However, it was Cal head coach Lindsey Gottlieb who was able to snag the highly-regarded Phoenix native.

“She came in as a highly-talented athlete with a great skill set,” Gottlieb said. “I think she has added strength, I think she has added a skill set away from the basket, and I think she has matured as a basketball player, and I think she has matured as a human being.The statistical area, she has really improved her game this year with rebounding…She is going to finish her career even better than that (how she came in).”

It’s a career for Anigwe that has many mementos. In December against No. 3 UCONN, the forward became a part of an exclusive club by recording 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds during her four years. The statistics are still growing.

Over the weekend, Anigwe was back in her home state in Pac-12 Conference play. On Friday, the 6-foot-4 senior had 19 points and 20 rebounds against Arizona. Then on Sunday in front of family, Anigwe worked her way to 21 points and 16 rebounds against No. 19 Arizona State. It was on par for Anigwe’s season, as she is averaging a double-double.

Both games resulted in two heartbreaking losses for the Golden Bears, as the team fell to Arizona 60-55 after overcoming a 14-point deficit, and the defeat against ASU occurred in the waning seconds of a 62-61 final.

“My parents came to both the games,” Anigwe said. “It was cool. I was really excited being back here. I just wish that we got the two wins.”

Against ASU, the forward was the point of emphasis in the Sun Devils defensive scheme. She dealt with physical play all night long, and she was swarmed by maroon and gold jerseys. However, Anigwe found a way to be a force down the stretch of the game, and she nearly willed her team to a win.

Trailing by one in the final moments, the Golden Bears had an inbounds play set up for Anigwe. However, the bid at a game-winning ending fell just short.

“I was really proud of her ability to sort of fight through the double and triple teams early and let other kids make plays, and figure out a way to dominate how she does later in the game,” said Gottlieb after the loss to ASU. “Obviously, she wanted to will us to a win in her hometown, and I think her teammates really wanted to win it here for her. She’s a terrific player, and we didn’t get the win today, which is incredibly disappointing, but it’s clear to recognize what a special talent she is.”

While the two losses might have been discouraging, the effort doesn’t take away from Anigwe and what she has done since she left her hometown.

Aside from just accolades on the court, the forward has become engulfed with the culture of her new school in Berkeley.

“It’s really cool. I like the culture shock, I like the vibe, I like the people, I like the food, and kind of everything surrounding it,” said Anigwe of the Bay Area.

Additionally, Anigwe’s brother and fellow Desert Vista alum Christian Anigwe plays 45 minutes south of her sister at San Jose State. It creates a special family dynamic.

“I like seeing him. Some games I go to, and we see each other and talk about basketball and life,” Anigwe said. “…It’s really nice and helpful. I like being surrounded by my family.”

From Phoenix to her newfound home at Cal, Anigwe has been a special talent who will likely go down as one of the all-time great players in the history of the Cal basketball program.