We continue our alumni spotlight with Jaleesa Ross, who played under head coach Adrian Wiggins from 2007-11 and spent all four season in a Bulldog uniform. Ross was a formidable player at Fresno State and has permanently etched her name in the record books and is a forefront of the women's basketball program here at Fresno State.
Ross has decorated her name within the record book with just four-years playing at Fresno State, named 3x WAC Tournament MVP, all-time leading scorer in program history and WBCA All-American Team Honorable Mention. In her time as a Bulldog, Ross made four NCAA postseason appearances, three WAC Championship tiles (2008, 2009, 2011), the all-time leading scorer in program history with 2,002 points, named WAC Defesnive Player of the Year, along with three WAC First-Team nods and 4x WAC All-Tournament team.
The accolades for Ross don't stop there, the California native is the All-Time leader in four categories; scoring, 3-point field goals made, rebounds and steals.
As the programs leading scorer Ross holds five 30-point games, scoring three of those her junior season. Ross was the year-by-year scoring leader for three years straight, hitting the 500 point mark her junior (583) and senior (538) years.
The scoring doesn't stop there, Ross is the all-time leader in 3-point field goals going 389-of-968 through 133 games. Throughout her time here, Ross holds the top-three season leader spots of three-pointers made in her first three seasons, as well as the year-by-year 3-point field goal percentage leader.
Adding to her in-season accolades Ross was the year-by-year assist leader in her final two seasons as well as rebounding leader her junior year.
Q: What is your current profession, and where do you work?
Ross: I am currently working as a mentor for the Youth Advocate Program. I am a mentor for youth who are on probation. I also substitute teach in special education classes. Currently coaching the Meadows Schools High School girls basketball team
Q: What do you enjoy most about your current profession?
Ross: I enjoy impacting the youth. Finding ways to connect and gain their trust so that I can pass along the wisdom my life has given me. I also enjoy exercising patience, knowing so many youth don't have a lot of adults being patient with them.
Q: How did your time at Fresno State prepare you for your career and life after college?
Ross: My coaches and professors challenged me to look beyond basketball and find something I was passionate about. Every chance I got to sit down and think about it, it came down to impacting youth. Coaching, teaching, mentoring is all I have done since leaving college. I have found different ways to do what I am passionate about and I thank Fresno State for that.
Q: What is your favorite memory as a student-athlete?
Ross: My favorite memory was a half court bank shot by Haley Munro in the WAC tournament to send us to the championship game. It was the start of an incredible 4 years of Fresno State Women's Basketball.
Q: What do you miss most about your time at Fresno State and being a student-athlete?
Ross: I miss the support all the athletes had for each other. All of us had busy schedules but showed up at the sporting events to support each other all year. It was one big family. Very hard to find that same camaraderie in the work world.
Q: Looking back at your career, what is one word you'd use to describe it?
Ross: Champions
Q: What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to current student-athletes?
Ross: Don't forget to be a college student. We don't always get to decide when the ball stops bouncing for us but we know college will be 4-5 years of your life. Make the most of it. Network, socialize, put in work in the classroom and in your sport. Enjoy every aspect of the college life. Make that place home.
Q: If you can give a message to the Fresno State family, what would it be?
Ross: Fresno impacted my family in such a big way. It embraced my blended family and added to it. Gave us a home. Supported us through ups and downs even after graduating. I am always bulldog born and bulldog bred. Thank you, from the Ross family.