Miners Sign Former Wildcat

The GMHBA Ballarat Miners have today announced the signing of Guam born and United States citizen Earnest Ross for the 2016 South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) season. Ross who is 196cm played for the Perth Wildcats in the 2014-15 NBL season before an achilles injury ended his season after just 17 games.

Ross has an impressive basketball resume having played for both Auburn and Missouri in the NCAA College division. Ross achieved starting five selection in three of the four years he was eligible, and in his senior year Ross averaged 14 points and six rebounds per game.

Following on from College in June 2014 Ross attended the Los Angeles Clippers Mini-Combine and worked out with NBA teams Washington Wizards, Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets before signing with the Perth Wildcats in the Australian National Basketball League.

Unfortunately due to injury Ross’s time was cut short at Perth and he returned to the United States for rehabilitation. Whilst going through recovery, Ross was drafted by Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA D-League but has now left and agreed to join the GMHBA Ballarat Miners for season 2016.

Miners Head Coach Eric Hayes is pleased to have signed Ross saying “He is an athlete, and a great get for us. He will be able to play anywhere from 1-4”.

Ross is equally as pleased to have signed with the Miners “I very excited to return to Australia and try and win a SEABL title in 2016 with the Ballarat Miners”.

Ross’s rehabilitation on his injured achilles is progressing with Ross commenting “Overall, I have been ahead of the game with my achilles throughout this process. I am just excited to get out to Australia and start working.”

Ross will meet with Miners Strength and Conditioning Coach Scott Talpy when he arrives in mid-February to assist with the transition back to full playing fitness.

Basketball Ballarat’s Elite Teams Administrator Melissa Thomas said “Earnest is expected to be fully recovered by the end of January and will be able to train and play with the rest of the Miners team when he arrives”. Thomas continued “Eric will manage Earnest during pre-season as he did with Roy Booker this year to ensure that he is 100% for round one”.

Ross who was born in Guam is eligible to play as an unrestricted player rather than an import due to Guam being a part of FIBA Oceania. This allows the GMHBA Ballarat Miners to still secure a second import behind already signed guard and fan favourite Roy Booker.

 

For more information about the signing of Earnest Ross or any other signings for the GMHBA Ballarat Miners or Harvey Norman Ballarat Rush please contact Basketball Ballarat Elite Teams Administrator Melissa Thomas via 5330 7604 or Melissa.Thomas@ballaratbasketball.com