FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason University men's basketball head coach Tony Skinn ('06) announced Monday that former Florida Gulf Coast forward Zach Anderson will play his final season of eligibility with the Patriots in 2024-25.
 
A 2024 All-Atlantic Sun Third Team selection with the Eagles, Anderson ranked second on the team in scoring (12.8 ppg), grabbed 6.7 rebounds per contest and shot an impressive 45.9 percent from 3-point range.
 
"Zach is ready to take the next step in his career and he wants to win," Skinn said. "He brings a wealth of experience and is a tremendous, highly efficient shooter. He plays the game the right way and he has good size and versatility. He can play some three and he'll play a lot of four. Defensively, he's shown he can defend one through four. With his elite decision making, he'll help us stretch the floor and greatly improve our playmaking ability as a team."
 
Anderson took his game to another level in conference play this season while averaging a team-best 14.1 points per league contest. The 6-foot-7-inch forward connected on 53 percent of his shots from the field (89-of-168) in ASUN play and also dished out 2.2 assists per game against ASUN foes. He scored in double-figures in 13 of 16 conference games, including a career-high 26 points against Queens University of Charlotte in a 90-81 FGCU win Feb. 24.
 
Overall, the Apopka, Fla., product started 31 of 32 games for FGCU while suiting up for a team-high 31.8 minutes/contest. He shot an efficient 48.2 percent (151-313) and connected on 51-of-111 3-point attempts (.459). He reached double figures in 24 contests and had five games with at least 20 points.
 
Anderson played in 111 games over his four seasons in Fort Myers while making 69 starts. He tallied 956 points and 540 rebounds during his time as an Eagle and made an impressive 42 percent of his 3-point attempts (105-250) over his final three seasons in an FGCU uniform.
 
Anderson suited up for Apopka High School during his pre-collegiate career, during which he was a 2020 Class 7A All-Florida Second Team selection and two-time all-conference first team pick.
 
Anderson is the fifth transfer portal addition for the Patriots so far this season. The Green & Gold also will bring in forward Giovanni Emejuru (Siena), guard Jeremiah Quigley (Iona), guard K.D. Johnson (Auburn) and guard Brayden O'Connor (UMass Lowell). In addition, the Patriots will welcome incoming freshmen Justin Begg (Houston, Texas) and Bryson Cokley (Whiteville, N.C.).
 
The Green & Gold also welcome back two starters from last season's 20-win squad, including second-leading scorer Darius Maddox (14.0 ppg) and Jared Billups. GM also brings back three additional letter winners, including Woody Newton, Austin Ball and 2023 All-SoCon Third Team selection Jalen Haynes (ETSU).