BIG 12/SEC CHALLENGE TEXAS TECH AT ARKANSAS

5-year obstacle course

Healthy Ross to finally play in home state

Texas Tech forward Aaron Ross (15) brings the ball up the court against TCU during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Jan. 18, 2016, in Fort Worth, Texas. Texas Tech won 76-69. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)

FAYETTEVILLE -- More than five years after Aaron Ross signed a national letter of intent with Arkansas' basketball team, he finally will play a game in Walton Arena.

"I always wanted to play in that arena as a Razorback," Ross said. "I never thought about playing against the Razorbacks there, but I'm looking forward to this game."

Ross, a former Little Rock Parkview standout, makes his Walton Arena debut today playing for Texas Tech against Arkansas in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.

"It should be a lot of fun," he said. "I can't wait."

Ross, a 6-8 redshirt junior forward, has been through a lot to reach the point of playing in today's game, including two major knee surgeries and two coaching changes since coming to Texas Tech after attending prep school for a year.

"I've prayed about things and just tried to stay focused, stay with my goals," Ross said. "It's really all about taking it one day at a time. That's all I know to do."

Ross didn't become academically eligible to enroll at Arkansas after signing with the Razorbacks on Nov. 10, 2010, and being rated among the top 100 high school players nationally.

Instead, Ross went to St. John's Northwest Military Academy in Minnesota, where he averaged 25 points and 11 rebounds. He then signed with Texas Tech.

The start of his college career again was delayed when Ross tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a workout in September 2012.

A couple of weeks after Ross' first knee injury, Billy Gillispie resigned as Texas Tech's coach. Chris Walker served as interim coach during the 2012-2013 season while Ross redshirted.

Ross is now in his third year playing for Red Raiders Coach Tubby Smith, but he was limited to 16 games last season after again tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during spring 2014.

"To see him come back from it all is true perseverance; it's just his will," said Razorbacks guard Dusty Hannahs, a close friend of Ross and his former teammate with the AAU Arkansas Wings Elite and at Texas Tech. "He just loves the game of basketball, and he works hard at it.

"He was always in tune to his rehab, too. That's just a testament to him sticking with it and not giving up."

Ross has played in all 19 of Texas Tech's games this season. He is averaging 8.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 18.3 minutes off the bench. He's shooting 51.6 percent from the field (48 of 93), including 13 of 41 on three-pointers, and 84.6 percent from the free-throw line (44 of 52).

He has averaged 11.2 points over the past five games in the Big 12. Ross scored a career-high 16 points in 16 minutes in the Red Raiders' 76-69 victory Jan. 18 at TCU when he hit 4 of 4 shots -- 3 of 3 on three-pointers -- and 5 of 6 free throws.

Other strong games for Ross this season have been against Arkansas-Pine Bluff (15 points), Baylor (14 points), Kansas State (11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists), West Virginia (11 points), Minnesota (10 points, 9 rebounds) and Utah (10 points, 5 rebounds).

"He had two years of trying to rehab his knee, so he's just getting into basketball form, but he's playing well for us at this juncture," Smith said. "He's really an outstanding shooter and outstanding scorer and can stretch the defense.

"He's rebounding the ball well. He's always been a very intelligent player. He understands the game."

Ross said his right knee feels better than it has at any time prior to his first surgery.

"The knee's a lot stronger," he said. "I feel a lot better on the court now, more confident."

Losing 20 pounds to get back down to 220 has helped Ross in the recovery process.

"I finally got healthy and could run so I could lose the weight," he said. "I'm lighter on my feet and a lot quicker and faster."

Parkview Coach Al Flanigan said he's not surprised Ross is overcoming adversity.

"He loves basketball," Flanigan said. "That's his No. 1 and No. 2 sport, too.

"I knew he'd do everything he could to come back. He did everything I asked him to do at Parkview, including winning a championship.

"He's an outstanding kid. I'm just glad to be able to watch him play again, because I know how much it had to hurt him to sit out. In high school, he was never hurt. He never twisted an ankle or anything."

Ross led Parkview to the Class 6A state championship as a senior when he averaged 23.7 points and 11.6 rebounds. As a junior, he averaged 28.5 points and 11.1 rebounds.

"Coming out of high school, he was one of the best players I'd ever seen," said Hannahs, who played at Pulaski Academy. "For a guy like that to get the injuries he did, it's just tough to see.

"This is his first real full year of health and looking good. I'm really happy for him, just to see him bounce back."

Ross said he disappointed when he wasn't able to enroll at Arkansas in fall 2011.

"Growing up, I always wanted to be a Razorback, so when I couldn't go there, I was heartbroken," he said. "But things happen, and you've got to move on.

"Now I'm a Red Raider, and I'm happy about that. It's good times here at Texas Tech.

"I like playing for Coach Smith. I got to know him, and he got to know me. We've got a good relationship."

Today will be first college game in Arkansas for Ross, who said he expects more than 30 family members and friends to attend.

"We're going to get his best shot," Razorbacks Coach Mike Anderson said.

Ross will face a family member and close friend in Arkansas sophomore guard Anton Beard and Hannahs.

Beard and Ross are cousins, and he said Hannahs is like a brother to him. Ross said he stays in close contact with Beard and Hannahs and spoke to them earlier this week.

"We talked about who's going to do this and who's going to do that and who's going to win," Ross said. "It'll be friendly competition, but we'll get after it."

Sports on 01/30/2016