LAS VEGAS — Arkansas Hawks and Jonesboro point guard Kahron Ross has several scholarship offers but more could be on the way after his performance today against Mo Williams Elite and two prospects rated in the top five in their classes.
The Hawks defeated Mo Williams 85-73 and Ross scored 19 points while running the team and playing his usual relentless defense.
“We knew we could play with them,” Ross said. “It was just all about confidence and making shots.”
Ross, 5-11, 150 has scholarship offers from Tulsa, Western Kentucky, Southern Illinois, Arkansas State, Southeast Missouri State, Arkansas-Little Rock and Lehigh.
Mo Williams Elite features point guard Emmanuel Mudiay, who's rated by ESPN as the No. 5 prospect in the 2014 class and junior shooting guard Malik Newman, who's rated by ESPN as the No. 2 prospect in the nation his class.
With about 50 college coaches, including Anderson, Bill Self of Kansas and Mark Gottfried of North Carolina State in attendance, Ross probably helped his stock and might see some additional offers come his way.
“I hope so, I really do,” said Ross, who had 10 points at the half and helped the Hawks to a 41-20 lead. “It would show me that hard work pays offer. Hopefully I did.”
Hawks Coach Bill Ingram believes Ross made a statement against top competition.
“He’s really proving he’s a BCS point guard,” Ingram said. “He’s a true floor general that has great character and great academics.”
Going up against Mudiay and Newman didn’t faze Ross, who quickness on the floor is on par with anyone in the country.
“I was just taking my time looking ahead because I knew they were going to run and jump.,” Ross said. “I just looked ahead when I got open I took the open shot.”
Playing in front of so many college coaches is a great opportunity for Ross.
“It’s great experience, it’s a really humbling experience,” he said. “I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
He has an idea why higher D-I schools are slow to offer.
“I think what’s holding me back is my size,” Ross said. “I’m a little small in my height. I think I can play on the high D-I level.”