Nicholas James VanderLaan (born October 27, 1979) is an American former professional basketball player. He played three seasons of Division I college basketball for California and Virginia before completing his college career at Concordia-Irvine in 2004. As a senior in 2003–04, he was named an NAIA All-American First Team honoree. He played professionally for three seasons, spending time in the American Basketball Association (ABA), Continental Basketball Association (CBA), NBA Development League and in the Spanish second-tier league (LEB). His best season came in 2007, when he led the CBA in rebounding and helped Ricoh Manresa win the LEB championship.
High school career
Born in Long Beach, California, VanderLaan first attended high school in his hometown of Sacramento before completing his secondary education in Connecticut. Following his sophomore year at Kennedy High School in 1997, VanderLaan moved to Kent, Connecticut, for his junior year. As a junior at Kent School in 1997–98, he was named the MVP of the school's basketball team after averaging 26 points and 15 rebounds per game. During the season, he had a quadruple-double with 48 points, 22 rebounds, 11 blocks and 10 assists in a 101–97 double-overtime victory.
On November 17, 1998, VanderLaan signed a National Letter of Intent to play college basketball for the University of California, Berkeley.
As a senior at Oakdale's St. Thomas More School in 1998–99, VanderLaan averaged 19 points and 14 rebounds per game. He was named co-MVP of a team that finished with a 28–4 overall record and a second-place finish in the Class A New England Prep School tournament.
In high school, VanderLaan also played football as a tight end and defensive end.
College career
California (1999–2001) As a freshman at California in 1999–2000, VanderLaan played in 33 games and had 16 starting assignments. He averaged 8.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, becoming only the fourth Cal freshman to have at least 200 rebounds. He was Cal's leading rebounder in 15 of the team's final 23 games, and finished the season second on the team in rebounding. He earned All-Tournament honors at the Top of the World Classic in Alaska after making his collegiate debut with a 20-point performance against Texas Christian, and scoring a career-high 23 points two games later in the title game against Oklahoma. At the season's end, he was named an honorable mention for the Pac-10 All-Freshman team.
As a sophomore in 2000–01, VanderLaan played in 29 of Cal's 31 games and had 21 starting assignments. He averaged 6.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, finishing as Cal's second-leading rebounder for the second consecutive season. On December 21, 2000, VanderLaan recorded his only double-double of the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds in an 85–64 win over Georgia. VanderLaan started 21-straight games for Cal in 2000–01, but lost his starting job to Solomon Hughes in the final three weeks of Pac-10 play after he missed two games in February with a sprained right ankle.
In March 2001, VanderLaan decided to transfer to another school for his junior year, citing personal reasons.
Virginia (2001–2003) In May 2001, VanderLaan transferred to the University of Virginia. He was forced to sit out the 2001–02 season due to NCAA transfer regulations, but was able to practice with the team.
As a redshirted junior in 2002–03, VanderLaan averaged 5.3 points and 4.5 rebounds in 31 games for the Cavaliers. He again finished second on the team in rebounding. He shot 50.8 percent (64-of-126) from the field, scored in double figures five times, and started in 14 games. On December 19, 2002, he scored a season-high 17 points against Gardner–Webb. Two days later, he had a season-high 11 rebounds against Rutgers.