Perth Wildcats sign Earnest Ross for three years

The Perth Wildcats have bolstered their roster ahead of the 2014/15 NBL Season by signing guard Earnest Ross for three years.

Ross attended the University of Missouri and was a big part of their basketball program for the past two seasons - starting in all 35 games in 2013/14.

The 23-year-old is a strong, athletic shooting guard who stands at 192cm, has a wingspan of 208cm and weighs in at 105kg.

With an NBA-ready body, Ross’ strength is his strength. He’s a hard-nosed defender who can shoot with range and finish in style above the rim.

Ross is excited to begin his professional career in Australia.

“This is a great opportunity for me and I’m really pleased to be joining a proven basketball program and a Championship-winning organisation,” said Ross.

“While this will be my first pro season, five years of college has given me a lot of experience and I’m ready to work hard for my new team.”

In the 2013/14 season, Earnest Ross averaged 14.0 points at 41 per cent from the field, while grabbing 6.0 rebounds and handing out 1.4 assists per game. He also led Mizzou with a total of 46 steals.

Perth Wildcats assistant coach Adam Tatalovich said Ross adds a new dimension to his team’s backcourt.

“We’re talking about an NBA-athlete in the two-guard position who can defend multiple positions. It gives us another dynamic which we’ve never had before,” said Tatalovich.

“It’s an extra weapon, and in terms of our system, he fits the blue-print of what we need offensively and defensively. We’re definitely excited and the timing is great with Trevor (Gleeson) returning from the World Cup as well.”

Earnest Ross was born in Guam and was raised in Chicago in the USA. He has lived in the states of Washington D.C., North Carolina, Hawaii and Illinois as well as Japan and Guam.

As Ross is a Guamanian national, he is signed as a domestic player of the National Basketball League, with the NBL being the professional basketball competition of the FIBA Oceania region and Guam a nation of Oceania.

As a result, he is worth three points under the NBL’s player points cap system, as he is a returning college player..

Both the Perth Wildcats and Ross have options at the end of each year of his three-year contract.

The Wildcats have one roster position to fill ahead of the 2014/15 season, which commences on 10 October.



EARNEST ROSS

Date of birth: 27 January 1991

Place of birth: Guam

Position: Guard

Height: 192cm

Weight: 105kg

College: University of Missouri