In the first half, Gross put the Leopards on his back with 17 of his teams first 21 points as he was unstoppable in the paint. When Gross can put his shoulder into a skinnier defender he does an excellent job of leveraging his body so you can’t block his shot at the rim. I was also impressed with Gross ability to get to the paint, being patient and waiting to attack until he saw a lane. Add in a big 3-pointer in the third quarter and the assist to give the Leopards the lead for good off an Avery Andrejcik Avery Andrejcik 6'3" | SF Louisville | 2025 State OH 3-pointer. For Louisville, the performance their seniors showed on the big stage was the difference as seniors Beau Siegfried Beau Siegfried 6'0" | PG Louisville | 2025 State OH , Tate Aljancic Tate Aljancic 6'5" | PF Louisville | 2025 State OH , Ashton Marshall Ashton Marshall 6'2" | SF Louisville | 2025 State OH and more showed the poise and toughness to compete a dramatic comeback.

One of the best rebounders in Ohio’s 2025 class, Gross was dominating on the interior by using his physicality, size, strength and strong hands to secure rebounds on both ends of the court and get extra possessions for his team. I also thought Gross threw some excellent passes with quick decision making when Bishop Hartley sent double-teams his way. I expect Gross to hit the ground running at Walsh University but he’s looking to capture a state title with the Leopards first.

Gross is a modern-day big with a throwback big mentality. He is a big kid and wants to be big. He is strong and wants to dominate you in the game. He loves to get to his right and he won’t be stopped from getting to it. He draws a ton of fouls. He is a strong and physical kid. But he is modern because he can stretch the floor and beat you off the dribble. He is a great playmaker in the post and from the perimeter. He was helping Louisville beat the full-court zone of DeSales in the first half.  He sees the floor well and is used to being doubled. He makes the right passes when he is doubled. He is a leader as well. He is constantly talking to his teammates the other team, this edge his teammates feed off.

We already covered his Louisville and Gurus of Go teammate Beau Siegfried Beau Siegfried 6'0" | PG Louisville | 2025 State OH in a previous article on top available point guards and now it’s time to spotlight Gross. An athletic power forward who plays an old-school style of play with his physicality and ability to use craftiness in the paint. Also able to throw down dunks in transition and off alley-oops, Gross has a skillset that has become prioritized by some of the top regional Division II programs. I expect Gross to make an impact at that level sooner rather than later if he winds up in the GMAC or a similar level conference.

The Gurus of Go attracted college coaches from a variety of levels to every game I saw of theirs and Gross had some monster games and has become one of the priority Division II recruits in Ohio. An impressive athlete, Gross can play above the rim. His high motor also allows him to grab second chance points. Developing more skill off the dribble over the past year, Gross is more confident attacking off the bounce and using the faceup game. Gross also had a strong month of June with Louisville, leading the Leopards to an unbeaten mark at Midwest Live. A name to watch in the 330 this winter, Louisville could be the best team in the area and contend for a state title in the new seven Division format.