Norman Anchrum

Norman Anchrum (born November 13, 1958) is a former basketball center and Birmingham Police officer.

Anchrum was a 6'-10" high-school All-American at Jones Valley High School, graduating in 1977 with an average of 25 points, 23 rebounds and 11 blocks per game. He signed to play for the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team. He played in six games as a freshman for C. M. Newton, scoring 11 points and grabbing 17 rebounds in 69 minutes on the court.

Anchrum asked for a release from the team in January and transferred to the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. During the 1978-1979 season he average 12 points and 8 rebounds per game for the 14-13 Moccasins. Before his junior year he transferred again, to Gene Bartow's UAB Blazers basketball team.

As a junior for the Blazers, Anchrum split time with center Donnie Speer and averaged 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. He set a new school record for blocked shots in a season with 51. The Blazers upset the Kentucky Wildcats in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament that year and Anchrum contributed by holding All-American Sam Bowie to 8 points while scoring 6, pulling down 7 rebounds, and blocking three shots himself. He was given honorable mention in the All-Sun Belt Conference program.

During his senior season, Anchrum started 19 games for the Blazers and averaged 6.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. He shattered his shot-blocking season record with 74, still third-best all-time. He was drafted by the New York Knicks in the fourth round (75th overall) of the 1982 NBA draft, but never signed with the team.

After leaving basketball, Anchrum joined the Birmingham Police Department and remained on the force until his retirement. He continues to coach 6th grade boys in the Alabaster Recreational League.

Norman and his wife, Andrea, have three children: Asia, Asha, and Hakeem. Asia plays for the Miles College Bears. Asha and Hakeem attend Pepperdine Univeristy, and Hakeem plays for the Waves basketball team.

References

• Browning, Al (January 18, 1978) "Anchrum quits Alabama team." Tuscaloosa News
• MemphisBlazer (November 17, 2008) "29: Norman Anchrum (1980-82)" Blazer Top 30. BlazerTalk - accessed November 12, 2015