Get to Know a Recruit: Marquette’s Sacar Anim

Sacar Anim’s journey to Milwaukee was one filled with an abundance of success and winning, especially in high school.

At DeLaSalle high school in Minneapolis, Minn., Anim enjoyed a decorated four-year career that included four-straight state championships and plenty of recognition.

As a senior, Anim averaged 25.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game and was named Minnesota’s Associated Press Player of the Year. In the Class 3A state title game, Anim led the way with 32 points to help clinch the title. He was also the tournament’s top scorer and a member of the all-tournament team.

With the Islanders, Anim was a three-time all-conference selection, three-year starter and earned a varsity letter in each of his four seasons. DeLaSalle’s fellow Tri-Metro conference opponents are probably sick of Anim at this point and are happy to see him go. During Anim’s time there the Islanders only lost one game to a conference opponent.

Also during his senior season, Anim played in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League for the Howard Pulley Panthers. He was later named to the Minnesota State Basketball Coaches All-Star Game after his high school career came to a close.

In recruiting, like many of Wojo’s new players, many schools sought after the ESPN four-star recruit including Big East rivals Creighton and DePaul. Other schools that showed interested included Minnesota, Wisconsin, Texas Tech, Northern Iowa and Northwestern. However, in late February of 2015 Anim committed to play for the Golden Eagles.

The ironic part of Anim’s recruitment to Marquette was that Wojciechowski saw Anim play on accident. Wojo was watching the Timberwolves Shootout in Minneapolis at the Target Center because Henry Ellenson, Marquette’s prized big man, was playing and happened to see Anim drop 31 points in a game right before Ellenson took the floor.

Immediately, Wojo became interested and would return numerous times to watch Anim play. Before long he offered Anim a scholarship.

In the end, Anim wanted to play for a school that desired his services and that is what he received from the Golden Eagles. A program that wanted him.

Anim is a 6-foot-5, 205-pound shooting guard who could also play the small forward position in college.

In many ways Anim was built to play for a Wojo-led Golden Eagles squad because of the qualities that he brings defensively.

Earlier in the year, in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Anim said "I’m a willing defender working on the ball, off the ball. I like to get steals and get out in transition."

Anim seems to take even more pride in his work defensively than his ability to score and that could help to make him a great college player.

At DeLaSalle, Anim became accustomed to a man-to-man defense that was unrelenting, which is what Wojciechowski loves to implement with his teams. As a freshman, Anim could make an immediate imprint on his new team on defense.

Another trait that epitomizes a Wojciechowski coached team is dedication and Anim showed that in high school.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Anim would wake up at 4:45 a.m. to be at the gym at 5:30 a.m. so he could start working before 6 a.m. Islander practices at least twice a week.

All of Wojo’s recruits seem to fit that same mold of hard working, tough, gymrat type player who excels on the court and in the classroom. In other words, good all-around players and people.

Offensively, Anim is very long and athletic. In transition, he can get to the cup easily and slash in the halfcourt extremely well. The guard is also known for his quickness off the dribble and ability to beat defenders to the rim with his speed.

Anim is just another recruit that is getting Golden Eagle fans excited for the 2015-16 season and I know they just can’t wait to see their beloved team play.

Here a little taste of what MU fans could be seeing this season from Anim and the rest of his teammates.

Fans will have to wait to @_a15r to @Sacar_Anim15 until next season, but here is advance look. #mubb pic.twitter.com/c6ae4Rwoni

— MarquetteMBB (@MarquetteMBB) August 5, 2015