Terrence Ross

Terrence Ross's Biography

Terrence James Elijah Ross, commonly known as Terrence Ross, was born on February 5, 1991. This distinguished figure engraved his name in the American professional basketball world with his extraordinary skills and ubiquitous talent.

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Ross attended Jefferson High School during his freshman and sophomore years. Here, he marked his reputation as a pioneering basketball player by winning the Oregon 5A Player of the Year. This achievement was a result of him leading Jefferson to the first of three consecutive state championships. The following year, during his junior year, he transferred to Montrose Christian School located in Rockville, Maryland. Ross again left an indelible mark by earning the title of first-team All-Metro after scoring an average of 13.5 points per game. His senior year saw him returning to Jefferson High School, but due to transfer rules, he was unable to continue playing basketball.

The significant phase of Ross’s life commenced when he signed a National Letter of Intent on April 30, 2010, to play college basketball for the University of Washington. He was considered a four-star recruit by ESPN.com, having been listed as the No. 5 small forward and the No. 30 player nationwide in 2010. In his freshman and sophomore years with the Huskies, Ross earned honorable mention Pac-10 All-Freshman team honors and first-team All-Pac-12 honors respectively.

In 2012, Ross declared for the NBA draft, thus beginning his professional career. He was selected eighth overall by the Toronto Raptors and quickly began to show his prowess on the court. He had a season-best game with 26 points in 2013 and further proved his talent by winning the 2013 Slam Dunk Contest.

While with the Raptors, Ross accomplished a historical feat in January 2014 when he scored a career-and franchise-tying 51 points in a game. This accomplishment was even more impressive as he entered the game averaging 9.3 points per game, making him the first player in NBA history to score 50 or more points while maintaining an average score of fewer than 10 points per game.

In 2015, Ross signed a lucrative three-year, $33 million contract extension with the Raptors. Despite suffering injuries over the years, Ross repeatedly demonstrated his resilient nature, setting new season highs with points but also contributing significantly to the team’s overall success.

After several successful years with the Raptors, Ross was traded to the Orlando Magic in February 2017. He showcased impressive performances throughout his time with the Magic. On November 22, 2017, despite having an injury that led to a temporary pause in his career, Ross bounced back to action on April 8, 2018, showing once again his tenacious spirit.

Ross’s career graph climbed further when he re-signed with the Magic on June 30 for a four-year, $54 million deal. Throughout his professional career, Ross has shown his exceptional skills and resilience.

In February 2023, Ross moved from the Magic to the Phoenix Suns after a contract buyout agreement. This new journey, however, was short-lived as Ross announced his retirement from the NBA in December of the same year, marking the end of his sterling career in professional basketball.

Outside his professional life, Ross maintains a deep connection with basketball. His father played in the defunct Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and won the slam dunk title while with the Tri-City Chinook in 1995. His sister, Taelor, followed in the family basketball footmarks and played college basketball for Seattle University. Ross’s personal life also made headlines when he dated model Amber Rose in 2016.

Terrence Ross, with his commendable journey in basketball, will forever remain an epitome of hard work and determination. His story is truly inspirational, reflecting the spirit of tenacity and excellence in the face of adversities – a guidance for both on and off the court. The mark he left on American professional basketball is indelible, and his contributions will long be remembered and celebrated.