Isaiah Ross (basketball)

Isaiah Ross
Nokia
PositionShooting guard
Personal information
Born (1996-10-24) October 24, 1996 (age 28)
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school
College
NBA draft2021: undrafted
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021Santa Cruz Warriors
2021Lakeland Magic
2021–2022Oklahoma City Blue
2022Wisconsin Herd
2022-2023Lugano Tigers
2023Chorale Roanne Basket
2023Trepça
2023–2024Psychiko
2024–presentNokia
Career highlights and awards

Isaiah Leonja Ross (born October 24, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for BC Nokia. He played college basketball for the UMKC Kangaroos and the Iona Gaels.

High school career

Ross attended Davenport West High School. As a senior, he averaged 17 points per game. Ross did a postgraduate season at Hillcrest Prep, playing alongside Deandre Ayton and Marvin Bagley. He committed to playing college basketball for UMKC.[1]

College career

As a freshman at UMKC, Ross averaged 8 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.[2] He averaged 11.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore. Following the season, he transferred to Iona, sitting out a season per NCAA regulations.[3] As a junior, Ross averaged 11 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game.[1] In the offseason, he worked on his defense and passing, improving his foot speed and lateral speed alongside Chasson Randle, and embraced new coach Rick Pitino's skills workouts. In the season opener against Seton Hall, Ross scored 23 points but "played very poorly," according to Pitino.[4] On December 5, 2020, he scored a career-high 33 points in a 82–74 win over Hofstra.[5] During his senior year, Ross helped Iona win the MAAC championship and reach the NCAA Tournament.[6] He averaged 18.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game.[7] Ross was a unanimous First Team All-MAAC selection.[8]

Professional career

Ross was selected with the 18th pick in the 2021 NBA G League draft by the Maine Celtics. He was acquired by the Santa Cruz Warriors in a three-team trade.[9] However, he was waived on December 8, after making 7 appearances.[10] On December 19, he signed with the Lakeland Magic.[11] On December 30, 2021, Ross was acquired by the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA G League, but was later waived on January 5, 2022.[12]

Wisconsin Herd (2022)

On January 7, 2022, Ross was acquired by the Wisconsin Herd. He was then later waived on January 19, 2022.[13]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2016–17 UMKC 34 10 17.2 .394 .376 .833 1.9 .6 .5 .0 8.0
2017–18 UMKC 32 17 25.2 .400 .359 .779 3.1 1.0 .5 .0 11.3
2018–19 Iona Redshirt Redshirt
2019–20 Iona 29 21 31.0 .459 .401 .725 3.2 1.1 .7 .1 11.0
2020–21 Iona 18 18 34.5 .455 .383 .812 3.9 1.4 1.4 .1 18.4
Career 113 66 25.7 .426 .379 .787 2.9 1.0 .7 .0 11.4

Personal life

Ross graduated from Iona with a degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.[14]

References

  1. ^ a b "2020-21 MEN'S BASKETBALL GAME NOTES" (PDF). Iona Gaels. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  2. ^ Rushing, T.J. (April 2, 2017). "Where Are They Now? (Part II)". PrepHoops. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  3. ^ "Our D1 #TransferTuesday pick is Isaiah Ross, UMKC". Twitter. June 5, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  4. ^ Thomson, Josh (December 22, 2020). "Men's basketball: How Iona's Isaiah Ross has thrived under Rick Pitino". The Journal News. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  5. ^ "Ross scores career-high 33, leads Iona past Hofstra 82–74". ESPN. Associated Press. December 5, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  6. ^ Rholdon, Corey (March 15, 2021). "Former Davenport West Star Isaiah Ross is ready for a March Madness run with Rick Pitino and Iona". OurQuadCities.com. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  7. ^ "Isaiah Ross: Taken No. 18 by Maine". CBS Sports. October 23, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  8. ^ "MAAC Announces 2020-21 Men's Basketball All-MAAC Teams". Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. March 8, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  9. ^ "Warriors Complete Trade To Acquire Eighteenth Overall Pick Isaiah Ross In Three-Team Trade". NBA.com. October 25, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  10. ^ "2021-2022 Santa Cruz Warriors Transactions History". RealGM.com. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  11. ^ "Behind Edwards, Stars roll past Magic to close Showcase". NBA.com. December 22, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  12. ^ "2021-22 NBA G League Transactions". gleague.nba.com. January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  13. ^ "2021-22 NBA G League transactions". gleague.nba.com. January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  14. ^ Batterson, Steve (January 18, 2021). "West alum Ross learns all he can from Pitino". Quad City Times. Retrieved November 7, 2021.