Freshman Ross staying in-state

2011 prospect Aaron Ross is one of those talented players who would have been recruited by most every school in the country. But the 6-foot-7, 205-pound forward from Little Rock (Ark.) Pulaski Academy will stay in-state and attend the school that his family loves.

"My mother loves the Hogs, my wife loves the Hogs and I love the Hogs," said Carlos Conley, the brother and guardian of Ross. "We asked Aaron what he wanted to do after his visit to the school this weekend, and he said he wanted to play at Arkansas.

"We are only three hours away from the campus, and our family will be able to watch him play. Hopefully he can continue the strong Razorback tradition and put some banners in the gym while he gets his degree there."

Ross, who averaged 13 points and seven rebounds per game as a freshman, is an inside player who is steadily extended his game farther out on the perimeter.

"Aaron is a versatile player because he started out playing with his back to the basket," said Conley. "Then when he was in the sixth grade, he started working on his ball handling and shooting the face up jumper. Occasionally he shoots the three, but as an inverted player, he can rebound with the best of them inside."

Landing the talented in-state freshman has been a priority for Coach John Pelphrey once he took over the reigns at Arkansas.

"Coach Pelphrey first saw Aaron when he played 17-under as a 14 year old at the NIKE tournament in Dallas last spring," said Conley. "He came away very impressed, and our family has developed a strong relationship with him since. Coach Pelphrey is a great guy and is concerned about Aaron's education and what he does on the basketball court."

During the travel team season, Ross will run with the 15-under and 16-under Arkansas Wings.