Former University of St. Francis basketball player Landus Anderson fulfills dreams as NBA lawyer for Portland Trail Blazers
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — Despite a birth injury, a former basketball player from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, who has limited use of one arm, has overcome challenges and today fulfills his dream by working for the NBA.

“Your attitude determines your altitude,” Landus Anderson said. “Always had this positive outlook on life.”

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Born with Erb’s palsy, doctors said Anderson would never walk or have any use of his right hand.

“I had broad shoulders at birth, which led to some complications,” Anderson explained. “I got stuck, and when the doctor pulled too hard, it severed nerves from my spinal cord to my right arm.”

Though a settlement was reached, Anderson faced lifelong hurdles. His outlook shifted early on thanks to his mother, who showed him how to tie her shoelaces with one hand.

“I love you, Mama. My mom is, yeah, she’s a tough woman,” Anderson said. “Yeah, I can remember as a kid like saying, ‘Mom, I can’t, I can’t tie my shoes.’ And she’s like, ‘Oh, yes, you can. You definitely can, come watch it.’ She taught me at a very young age, you know, not to make excuses.”

Instead, Anderson grew up playing competitive basketball, just like his mom and dad, eventually earning a full scholarship at the University of St. Francis in Joliet.

“I come from a huge basketball family,” Anderson said. “Basketball gave me a lot of character, taught me a lot about life, gave me my network. You know, all the great friends that I have, basketball has been good to me.”

It was a great college career, but the NBA didn’t come calling for the 6’6″ guard. So, Anderson, who was nearly a 4.0 student, went to law school, and he eventually reconnected with the same attorney who represented him at birth. In 1995, he was a little known lawyer named Ben Crump.

“My heart is just full when I talk about Landus Anderson,” Crump said. “I mean, after representing him, when he was first born, and then 23 years later, he comes back as a law student, and he clerks with our law firm. It’s just amazing, his life’s journey.”

“My mom is like, ‘Hey, you should reach out to attorney Crump, who represented you in 1995,’ and I’m nervous,” Anderson said. “I’m like, ‘Attorney Crump, I would love to intern at your firm. I can use the credits for, you know, to graduate. I want to be a lawyer.’ He’s like, ‘Intern at my firm. We would be glad to have you.'”

“Whatever assignment we gave Landus, he didn’t just do it. He went over and above to make sure he was excellent, and I think that’s how he lives his life,” Crump said. “He excels in every task that he endeavors to achieve.”

Anderson earned his law degree, and he made it to the NBA, as an attorney. He serves as Assistant General Counsel for the Portland Trail Blazers.

“I’m super grateful,” Anderson said. “I mean, I can’t make this thing up the way, you know, it worked out and just walked by faith and God made it happen. But, I’ve always been passionate about basketball, passionate about the law. I now have the opportunity to marry them both.”

[The Trail Blazers don’t know [I can play ball],” Anderson said. We have some hoop sessions here and there with the staff, and you hear some whispers after a couple games where, like, ‘Wow, Landus can really, like, he can really play.'”

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Utah judge schedules execution by firing squad for a man with dementia

Utah Judge Orders Firing Squad Execution for Inmate with Dementia

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah judge on Wednesday set an execution…
Randy Couture, UFC Hall of Famer, hospitalized after racing crash

UFC Legend Randy Couture Hospitalized Following Racing Accident

The 62-year-old UFC Hall of Famer has been working to make his…
New York ABSOLUTELY should ban masked 'protests'

New York Should Certainly Prohibit Masked ‘Protests’

Masked protestors took to the city streets, targeting Jewish neighborhoods, and voiced…
Windy City Smokeout 2025: Start time, outside the United Center for things to do in Chicago

Your Guide to the Windy City Smokeout 2025: Events and Activities Near the United Center in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — If you’re a fan of delicious mouth watering barbecue,…
Moderna Vaccine Dangers: What You Should Know

Understanding the Risks Associated with the Moderna Vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to Moderna’s COVID-19…
Aryna Sabalenka in heated Wimbledon moment with Amanda Anisimova

Tense Wimbledon Showdown: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Amanda Anisimova

Sorry, not sorry. The final stretch of Amanda Anisimova’s upset of top…
WATCH: ICE agents fight off masked mob outside blue city immigration court

VIDEO: ICE Agents Defend Themselves Against Masked Group Near Immigration Court in a Major City

A conflict took place outside of the San Francisco Immigration Court this…
Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron at a joint press conference.

Starmer and Macron Reveal Agreement to Send Back 50 Migrants Weekly from Boats to France

SIR Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron announced today a one-in-one-out arrangement to…
LiAngelo Ball files for divorce days after wife's pregnancy reveal

LiAngelo Ball Announces Divorce Shortly After Wife Reveals Pregnancy

LiAngelo Ball initiated divorce proceedings from Rashida Nicole just a week after…
Jeffrey Epstein's brother laughs at 'stupid' FBI memo defending controversial suicide ruling: report

Jeffrey Epstein’s Brother Mocks ‘Ridiculous’ FBI Memo Justifying Suicide Ruling: Report

Jeffrey Epstein’s brother has criticized federal investigators for their recent statement indicating…

Desperate Plea: Travis Decker ‘Sighting’ Ignored by Police for Weeks, Leaving Me Feeling Unsettled

A NURSE reported that she spent several weeks urging the police to…
Shark bites beach fisherman who dragged thrashing predator back to water after catch

Fisherman bitten by shark as he returns the struggling predator to the ocean

During the July Fourth weekend, a fisherman in a lavish beach vacation…