August 14, 2015 After feeling some pain in his knees after his sophomore season, Earl Ross decided he’d take a break from grassroots ball and sit out his 16U season. Now, after some ice and rest the 6-foot-5 forward is…
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After feeling some pain in his knees after his sophomore season, Earl Ross decided he’d take a break from grassroots ball and sit out his 16U season.
Now, after some ice and rest the 6-foot-5 forward is back to 100 percent and ready to head into his junior season with Patterson strong.
“After my sophomore season my knees were feeling very sore, and I went to the doctor and she told me I had inflammation in my tendon,” said Ross. “So she told me to rest it and put ice on it until the inflammation went down. So I just took the offseason off and rehabbed.”
The talented forward resumed play in April, and says it feels good. Already a versatile threat, he’s been working to master his ball-handling abilities.
“I’ve been working on my game, mostly dribbling, I’ve always had a shot, that just came natural, but mostly been working on dribbling and footwork,” said Ross.
“I like to shoot, I also can play on the inside, I have a mid-range game and I can push the ball. I pretty much can do everything except for be a point guard right now, because my dribbling skills aren’t that great, but I’m working on it.”
PHM’s 50th-ranked 2017, Ross says he'll play the small forward or shooting guard at the next level, but his recruitment has not started up yet.
“None (recruitment) so far, I think not playing AAU last season was the big reason, I think about it though,” said Ross, who’s looking to use his junior season to lead his team and generate some interest from area colleges.
“This season coming up I became a captain so I’ll have to pick up my team and I’ll be a leader. I was a leader last year, but I wasn’t the captain, but I still always kept my team up, always into them and had my mouth going on positive notes,” said Ross. “That’s who I am, I’m a leader, I got to do what I can for my team and get them ready for the state championship.”