Amanda Knapp
Standing at 6'10 (208 cm), Chris Birdman Andersen is a former professional basketball player who played for several NBA teams, including the Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Hornets, Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies, and Cleveland Cavaliers. He earned the nickname Birdman from teammates Junior Harrington and Kenny Satterfield during the 2002 Rocky Mountain Revue for his impressive arm span and acrobatic skills on the court.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Christopher Claus Andersen |
| Nickname | Birdman |
| Height | 6'10" (208 cm) |
| Weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Position | Center and Power Forward |
| Shooting Hand | Right |
| Date of Birth | July 7, 1978 |
| Birthplace | Long Beach, California, US |
| College | Blinn College |
| High School | Iola in Iola, Texas |
| NBA Debut | November 23, 2001 |
| Career Length | 15 years |
| Notable Teams | Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Hornets, Miami Heat |
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What You'll Learn
Chris Andersen's height
Chris Andersen, famously known as "Birdman", is listed at a height of 6 feet and 10 inches (208 cm).
Andersen earned the nickname "Birdman" from teammates Junior Harrington and Kenny Satterfield during the 2002 Rocky Mountain Revue due to his impressive arm span and penchant for aerial acrobatics.
Standing at 6 feet and 10 inches tall, Andersen is considered exceptionally tall, even by basketball standards. His height, combined with his arm span, contributed to his reputation as one of the top per-minute rebounders and shot-blockers in the league.
Andersen's height has undoubtedly been a significant factor in his basketball career. It has provided him with a physical advantage over many opponents and has likely contributed to his success as a rebounder and shot-blocker.
In addition to his height, Andersen is also listed at a weight of 245 pounds (111 kg), further contributing to his physical presence on the court. His combination of height and weight gives him a strong and intimidating presence on the court, making him a formidable opponent for any player he faces.
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Andersen's career
Christopher Claus Andersen, popularly known as "Birdman", is an American former professional basketball player. He played one year at Blinn College and led the National JC Athletic Association in blocks. He then played professionally in China for a year with the Jiangsu Nangang Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association before returning to the States.
Andersen's NBA career began in 2001 with the Denver Nuggets, with whom he played 24 games during the 2001-02 season, averaging 3.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per game as a rookie. He played for the Nuggets until 2004, before moving to the New Orleans Hornets. In his first year with New Orleans, Andersen played 67 games, averaging 7.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. During that season, he also competed in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, finishing third.
In 2006, Andersen was banned from the NBA for two years for violating the league's drug policy. He was reinstated in 2008 and re-signed with the Hornets, before returning to the Denver Nuggets later that year. He remained with the Nuggets until 2012, when he was cut from the roster due to an investigation into reported internet crimes against children.
Andersen then signed with the Miami Heat in 2013 and won a championship with them that same year. He played 72 games during the 2013-14 regular season, averaging 6.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. He re-signed with the Heat in 2014 and 2015, starting 20 games in the 2014-15 season, the most in a single year of his career. In 2016, he played with the Memphis Grizzlies. In 2018, he played in the BIG3 league but suffered a season-ending knee injury.
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Andersen's NBA debut
Standing at 6'10" tall and weighing 245 lb, Christopher Claus "Birdman" Andersen made his NBA debut on November 23, 2001, signing with the Denver Nuggets. He quickly became one of the top per-minute rebounders and shot-blockers in the league.
Andersen's road to the NBA began in 1999 when he dropped out of Blinn College, convinced that he could play professionally. However, he soon realized he needed to officially apply for the NBA draft to be picked up. Thanks to his high school coach, he played exhibition games with the semi-professional Texas Ambassadors and even travelled to China, where he impressed the Jiangsu Nangang Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association.
In March 2000, Andersen joined the New Mexico Slam of the International Basketball League, but his performance was underwhelming. He then moved to the Dakota Wizards of the International Basketball Association (IBA) but left before the season started. A similar pattern followed with the Fargo-Moorhead Beez, where he played seven games before being released in January 2001.
Andersen's fortunes began to change in July 2001 when he joined the Cleveland Cavaliers for the NBA Summer League. Just over a month later, on September 28, he signed with the Phoenix Suns but was waived on October 7. Andersen's resilience paid off when, on October 31, he was selected as the first overall pick in the NBA Development League Draft.
Just two games with the Fayetteville Patriots were enough to showcase Andersen's talent, and he signed with the Denver Nuggets on November 21, 2001, marking his long-awaited NBA debut. During the 2002 Rocky Mountain Revue, teammates Junior Harrington and Kenny Satterfield bestowed upon him the now-famous nickname "Birdman" in recognition of his remarkable arm span and agility in the air.
Despite a two-year ban from the NBA in 2006 for violating the league's drug policy, Andersen's talent and determination propelled him back into the league, and he enjoyed a successful career spanning 15 years.
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Andersen's arm span
Christopher Claus Andersen, also known as "Birdman," is a former professional basketball player. Standing at 6'10" (208 cm), he was known for his impressive arm span and aerial acrobatics on the court.
During his career, Andersen played for several notable teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA), including the Denver Nuggets and the New Orleans Hornets. He began his professional career in the Chinese Basketball Association and later joined the American minor leagues before signing with the Denver Nuggets in 2001.
In addition to his impressive arm span, Andersen was also known for his brightly colored tattoos, which covered a significant portion of his body. He proudly displayed these tattoos in a PETA ad campaign, "Ink Not Mink," to protest the fur industry.
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Andersen's career stats
Chris "Birdman" Andersen is a former professional basketball player. He played for 15 years, from his NBA debut in 2001 to his retirement in 2017. Standing at 6'10" (208 cm) and weighing 245 lbs (111 kg), Andersen played the positions of center and power forward. He was born on July 7, 1978, in Long Beach, California, and attended Iola High School in Iola, Texas, where he was convinced to take up basketball.
Andersen's career in professional basketball began in 1999 when he dropped out of Blinn College, believing he could play professionally. His high school coach arranged for him to play a series of exhibition games with the semi-professional Texas Ambassadors, and a game in China led to an offer from the Jiangsu Nangang Dragons of the Chinese Basketball Association. In 2000, Andersen joined the New Mexico Slam of the International Basketball League, but he averaged just 1.1 points and 1.6 rebounds in six regular-season and four playoff games.
In 2001, Andersen joined the Dakota Wizards of the International Basketball Association (IBA) but left before the season started. He then had a short stint with the Fargo-Moorhead Beez of the IBA before joining the Sugarland Sharks of the Southwest Basketball League. In July 2001, he signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the NBA Summer League and later with the Phoenix Suns, but he was waived by the team in October. On October 31, 2001, he was selected by the Fayetteville Patriots in the NBA Development League's inaugural draft, becoming the first D-League player called up by an NBA team when he signed with the Denver Nuggets on November 21, 2001.
During the 2002 Rocky Mountain Revue, Andersen's teammates gave him the nickname "Birdman" for his arm span and penchant for aerial acrobatics. He quickly became one of the top per-minute rebounders and shot-blockers in the league. In 2006, Andersen was suspended by the NBA for violating the league's "drugs of abuse" policy, and his dismissal was upheld in March 2006. After a stint in rehab and coaching a boys' basketball team in Denver, Andersen was reinstated as an NBA player in March 2008, re-signing with his former team, the New Orleans Hornets.
In 2011, Andersen joined the Miami Heat and won his first NBA championship in 2013. He played 72 games during the 2013-14 regular season, averaging 6.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. He appeared in five games of the 2013 NBA Finals, averaging 4.4 points and 3.0 rebounds per game, with a field goal percentage of 72.7%. In 2014, Andersen missed several games due to injuries but returned for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, recording 9 points and 10 rebounds as the Heat advanced to their fourth straight NBA Finals.
After the Miami Heat, Andersen played for the Memphis Grizzlies and returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 2016-17 season, appearing in 12 games before retiring. Throughout his career, Andersen played a total of 695 games, averaging 5.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game, with a field goal percentage of 53.2%.
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Frequently asked questions
Chris "Birdman" Andersen is 6'10" or 208 cm.
Andersen was nicknamed "Birdman" by his teammates Junior Harrington and Kenny Satterfield for his arm span and penchant for aerial acrobatics.
Birdman played for the Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Hornets, Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Birdman's NBA career began in 2001 with the Denver Nuggets.
Birdman plays as a Power Forward / Center.
