Last modified: Friday, February 2, 2007 12:26 AM EST Anderson finds Fame in Hollywood BY PETER GOBIS SUN CHRONICLE STAFF ATTLEBORO - Fame and fortune eluded him with Long Beach of the American Basketball Association. A trek into the world of professional wrestling did not land him a spot on "Monday Night Raw." But, Leland Anderson is back - "better than ever" - in Hollywood, no less. No, the former Attleboro High basketball star - who, with the Bombardiers, will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 1997-98 MIAA State Division 1 championship team next year- is not in the movies. But, he continues to entertain as a member of the ABA's Hollywood Fame franchise. Averaging 22 points and six rebounds per game, Anderson has fueled the Fame to a 10-4 record to date and has drawn the interest of NBA Scouting Director Marty Blake and a number of teams in Europe and South America, according to Hollywood assistant coach Hernando Planells. "His college career was marred by injury, but he's finding a groove for himself with us," said Planells of the 6-foot-8, well-sculpted 255-pound Anderson. He has played at all of the front-court positions and has shown that his basketball skills have not eroded a bit. "It's not my reincarnation, but I'm definitely back, getting up and down the floor - I'm playing like I was during my junior year at Attleboro, the year we won the state title." The ABA is a developmental league of former NBA and college players hoping to latch onto the roster of an NBA team or seek a contract for their basketball playing services overseas. Each team has a salary cap of $120,000 for a 30-game season with players averaging anywhere from $350-$750 per game. The Hollywood Fame are coached by former LA Clipper coach Don Casey and the current roster has Olden Polynice, Tony Farmer, Byron Russell and Billy Knight on it. Anderson, who was considering a pro wrestling career and working out on the West Coast with the WWE developmental group, attended the Fame's open tryouts in October "and he was physically imposing," said Planells. "He has the ability to play either the 3, 4 or 5 positions - he's a match-up nightmare." According to Planells, Anderson has been a "stabilizing force" on the floor in that he runs it so well, can pass, shoot the three-pointer, take the ball to the basket and crash the boards. "He knows when to be powerful or when to use finesse - he can control a game," added the Fame assistant coach. "He has played very well in the high post, he is a hybrid high post player because of his passing skills," continued Planells. "In my conversations with Marty (Blake), he has a chance (for an NBA offer). If he can get onto the roster of an NBA Summer League team that will be even better. That will open up some doors for him. There are some offers from Spain, in South America. But, we want to find a place where he can succeed, even if he goes the international route." Socialite Nick Lachey, the former boy-toy of Jessica Simpson, former Red Sox'er Brady Anderson, Baltimore Ravens' quarterback Kyle Bowler and WWE "entertainer" Stacy Keebler are among the owners of the first-year ABA franchise, which plays its games at Santa Monica College. The Clippers have become one of the NBA teams who have inquired of the Fame about Anderson. Due to injuries, spots do open up on NBA rosters and players such as Anderson can be signed to 10-day contracts. "The league is parallel with the (NBA's) developmental league, but there are more players with NBA experience in this," said Anderson. "It's a good feeder system, it's a cool situation for me." Anderson, currently living in Marina Del Ray, is like many of the players in the NBA, hoping to showcase their talents for a hefty NBA contract. "The league is for guys, like myself, on the bubble," said Anderson, after a practice session at a facility also utilized by the Clippers in El Segundo. The calcium deposits in Anderson's legs which cut short his senior season at Attleboro High, his freshman year at Michigan and plagued him for two seasons at Providence College have disappeared. "The one that I had in my right leg at Michigan and the one that I had in my left leg in my senior year at PC have both disolved, they've gone away," said Anderson. "X-rays show that they're nothing in there." Anderson is hoping to return to the Attleboro area during the summer and conduct a series of basketball camps, intending to bring in a number of high profile players that he has met and befriended over recent years. "I think that I have something to offer," said Anderson.