LaDell Anderson

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LaDell Anderson was an American basketball coach.

Anderson graduated from Utah State University in 1951.

In 1956 Anderson became an assistant basketball coach at the University of Utah.

Anderson was the head coach at Utah State University for 10 years, from 1961 through 1971. His teams ran a run-and-gun style of basketball. At Utah State, Anderson won 176 games and lost 96.

Anderson coached the Utah Stars of the American Basketball Association during the 1971-72 and 1972-73 seasons. He replaced Bill Sharman, who had won the 1971 ABA Championship.

Early in Anderson's tenure, on October 5, 1971 the Stars hosted the NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks and their star Lew Alcindor on the Stars' home court at the Salt Palace. The matchup between the two league champions was a close game most of the way but the Bucks eventually pulled out the win.

During the 1971-72 regular season Anderson coached the Stars to the regular season Western Division title with a record of 60-24. In the Western Division semifinals the Stars ousted the Dallas Chaparrals four games to none. Just as in the prior season the Stars ended up facing the Indiana Pacers in the Western Division finals. The Pacers won the series in six games and ended up winning the 1972 ABA championship.

Anderson again coached the Stars in the 1972-73 season. The Stars hosted the ABA All Star Game and Anderson coached the West team to a 123-111 victory. The Stars again won the Western Division regular season title, this time with a record of 55-29. The Stars beat the San Diego Conquistadors in the Western Division semifinals. The Stars again met the Indiana Pacers in the Western Division finals. The series went seven games but the Pacers prevailed. After the close of the season Anderson resigned and was replaced by Joe Mullaney.

After leaving the Stars, Anderson became the athletic director at Utah State for ten years.

From 1983 to 1989 Anderson was head coach at Brigham Young University. His record there was 114-71. He led BYU to three berths in the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament and one berth in the National Invitation Tournament.

Anderson resigned as BYU's coach in 1989. He later served as a scout for the Utah Jazz.