At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned prospects in the senior class. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III, or NAIA levels (with several others exploring the JUCO path). That number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we try to highlight guys who are under-recruited by college coaches or overlooked by the masses. This edition will feature Derek Ross Jr. of Jordan High School.
We’ve watched Ross throughout his high school journey, recently stating, “He’s a smart, unselfish point guard prospect with incredible quickness and open-floor speed. Ross utilizes his tight handle and sharp first step to effortlessly break down opponents and get wherever he wants on the court. He’s a brilliant playmaker who consistently manipulates the defense to get his teammates the ball in favorable scoring positions. Ross can also reliably create for himself and apply quality scoring pressure from all three levels. He makes intelligent decisions, plays with phenomenal pace, and makes his presence felt as a defender at the point of attack. Next in his development process is simply working to add strength, as it will help prepare him for the physicality of the college game. Coach Smith on Ross: “Derek is a pure point guard with high-level IQ and the ability to get others involved.” Ross proved to be a difference-maker at camp and should be the undisputed leader for Jordan going forward.”
Since then, he’s only continued to shine as a focal point for the Falcons. He sets the tone as an unselfish leader by example, highlighting excellent playmaking instincts and an understanding of how to create quality scoring chances for others. Ross is quick and fast but plays under control and looks to make the right play with the ball in his hands. He can apply scoring pressure from all levels but doesn’t necessarily need to chase lofty point totals to impact a game. Ross evades double-teams, makes plays in transition, and stands out as a scrappy defender at the point of attack. Right now, he’s averaging 7.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 8.5 APG, and 1.9 SPG for a 21-2 squad. Given how many of his peers he’s outperformed (many on several occasions), it’s somewhat difficult to understand his lack of recruitment. Regardless, some college program will be getting a definite difference-maker in Ross.