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So your NBA team, the pride of your city or maybe just the organization that employs your favorite player, just brought in LaQuinton Ross for the Summer League. What now? He's not even the most famous player on Ohio State. Well, that's okay. You know what happens to famous players at Ohio State? They get drafted ahead of Kevin Durant or they are Aaron Craft.
You don't want either of those things, though. You want value, right? LaQuinton Ross does that. Your team didn't even use a draft pick on Ross, so it's not like the weight of the franchise is on his shoulders. That wasn't the story at Ohio State, though. Ross played with a bunch of teammates who were terrific defenders and rebounders, but he was the only guy who could consistently create his own shot.
2014 NBA Draft Story Stream
BTP's breakdown of the Big Ten prospects in the 2014 NBA Draft
A huge part of the Buckeye offense ran through Ross in 2013-14. The junior took 30.5 percent of his team's shots, and he could score from anywhere, connecting on 35 percent of his three-pointers and drawing 5.3 fouls per 40 minutes. While Ross doesn't have the type of athleticism needed to be the leading scorer on an NBA team, he can create matchup problems on the wing and contribute as a second or third option.
Despite his 6'8" frame and wingspan of over seven feet, Ross isn't a great defender, but at least he has the body to guard multiple positions. If he can improve his quickness and get more physical with his opponents, Ross could turn into a capable NBA defender.
And if he doesn't? It's not as though your team wasted a high draft pick! Ross's offensive game isn't complete yet, but he showed a lot of potential in his first season as Ohio State's leading scorer. Before 2014, Ross didn't have to create the way he did last season, so he's still developing as a scorer. Don't be surprised if he's able to improve his jump shot when given more room to breathe in an NBA offense.
Hopefully you and your NBA team will enjoy Ross just as much as my Big Ten brethren and I enjoyed him during his time at Ohio State.