Isaiah Ross

Isaiah Leonja Ross (born October 24, 1996) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Tauranga Whai of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL). He played college basketball for the Kansas City Roos and the Iona Gaels.

High school career Ross attended Davenport West High School. As a senior, he averaged 17 points per game. Ross did a postgraduate season at Hillcrest Prep, playing alongside Deandre Ayton and Marvin Bagley. He committed to playing college basketball for UMKC. He averaged 11.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore. Following the season, he transferred to Iona, sitting out a season per NCAA regulations. As a junior, Ross averaged 11 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. In the offseason, he worked on his defense and passing, improving his foot speed and lateral speed alongside Chasson Randle, and embraced new coach Rick Pitino's skills workouts. In the season opener against Seton Hall, Ross scored 23 points but "played very poorly," according to Pitino. On December 5, 2020, he scored a career-high 33 points in a 82–74 win over Hofstra. During his senior year, Ross helped Iona win the MAAC championship and reach the NCAA Tournament. He averaged 18.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Ross was a unanimous First Team All-MAAC selection.

Professional career Ross was selected with the 18th pick in the 2021 NBA G League draft by the Maine Celtics. Two days later, he was traded to the Santa Cruz Warriors. He was waived by the Warriors on December 5 after appearing in eight games. He was acquired by the Lakeland Magic on December 18, but after two games, In May 2023, he had a three-game stint with Chorale Roanne Basket of the LNB Élite. In 27 games during the 2024–25 season, he averaged 20.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He played six games to finish the 2024–25 PLK season. He left after appearing in two games.