Recruiting Update: Malik Ross (2022 Tualatin)
A number of guys made significant jumps in the updated Class of 2022 rankings and one standout that deservedly earned the nod is Malik Ross Malik Ross 6'0" | CG Tualatin | 2022 State OR . After some time off…
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Continue ReadingA number of guys made significant jumps in the updated Class of 2022 rankings and one standout that deservedly earned the nod is Malik Ross Malik Ross 6'0" | CG Tualatin | 2022 State OR . After some time off at the end of his sophomore campaign with Tualatin, the strong 5-foot-11 combo guard recently got back on the floor in some tournaments and he’s definitely made an impression as he’s seeking not only to show the hard work he’s put in but also capture the attention of college coaches.
“This off-season has been very important to me as I’m going into my junior year,” Ross said. “I’ve been trying to work on everything including getting my body stronger and working on jumping higher. I’ve been working on how to use my body better when finishing around the rim and finishing around taller guys.”
“My defense and IQ have gotten a lot better also,” he continued. “But I’ve been mainly working on my outside shot off the catch and off the dribble, learning how to create space making it a lot harder for the defense to guard me.”
After sitting out the few months after the season concluded, Ross was able to pick up and run with the basketball again when Elite 24 hit a couple of events this fall. It didn’t take him long to shake off the rust. He’s a tough customer to handle for defenders as he’s able to use his strength and quickness to get to the cup, while his jumper has definitely shown enough improvement to keep defenses honest.
“The tournaments with E24 have been good so far,” Ross said. “Greg Dundon has done a great job of trying to put his players out there as much as possible with the film of each of these games. Personally I feel the tournaments have gone great. I think I’ve done a good job of scoring the ball but need to focus more on the defensive end and being able to make plays for others and make my teammates better.”
One of the benefits of playing right now is not just getting the chance to go up against tough competition but also playing alongside some talented teammates. Ross has shared the backcourt with fellow 2022 standout Samaje Morgan Samaje Morgan 5'9" | PG Churchill | 2022 State OR , which has allowed him to play both off the ball and at the point.
“It’s been fun playing with Samaje,” Ross said. “(He’s) probably the best point guard in the state who is very unselfish but can take over a game when we need him to. Both Samaje and I are a very dangerous backcourt.”
Partially thanks to his play so far this fall and last season with Tualatin, Ross has been picking up some college recruiting interest. Also a talented athlete on the football field who’s hearing from Nevada, Ross notes that schools such as San Diego State, New Mexico State, and UC Davis have been in contact for his talents on the hardwood.
“It will ultimately come down to which school fits best for me whether it’s basketball or football,” Ross said. “I have considered playing both in college but football has given me a lot of injuries already. Although, I do put a lot more work in the court and definitely like hoops more and would love to be playing basketball in the future.”
Ross will continue to play with Elite 24 through the winter and notes that their next event is in Arizona later this month. Then his hope is that his junior season will start after the new year with Tualatin.
“I think we are definitely the most underrated team in the state,” Ross said. “We are all very athletic and run the floor very well and all of us have been working hard this off-season. We also have great chemistry as to all of us have been playing together since we were all really young. We are definitely looking to shock all the haters this year.”
As for himself? “My expectations include being a vocal leader, picking my teammates up, while also making them better players,” Ross said. “And always going at the best player on the other teams on the defensive end.”
Ross currently ranks as the #10 player in the updated Oregon Class of 2022 rankings.