Jaleesa Ross

Classroom

Ross graduated with a 3.07 GPA in three years and she’s currently pursuing a graduate degree in sports psychology. She was an academic All-WAC selection in 2008 and 2010 and made the Dean’s List in the fall and spring of 2009.

Character

Ross is a team captain this season and won the 2009-10 Bulldog of the Year Award, given annually to the top performing student-athlete at Fresno State for combined athletic accomplishment, academic achievement and community service. She’s one of the most well-liked student-athletes on campus and in the community.

Community

Ross helped the women’s basketball team earn the Fresno State Director of Athletics Community Service Award by participating in a variety of community-service projects, including the Girl Scouts in the “Go Girl Go!” Event, the Little Heroes/Big Heroes program and giving motivational talks to elementary and junior high students. She has volunteered for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) the last four years as well as given time at Community Medical Center’s Women’s Health Day and numerous Red Ribbon week and other school assemblies. Other community-outreach programs she’s volunteered with include visiting Children’s Hospital Central California multiple times, Convoy of Hope, the Children with Cancer Christmas party and serving for the Fresno Lunch Club the last four years. She is scheduled to volunteer with Bulldog Pantry and Fresno Philharmonic in November.

Competition

After a stellar junior season, Ross was an honorable-mention All-American by WBCA and the WAC Defensive Player of the Year. Ross led Fresno State to three consecutive WAC championships, winning two conference tournament MVP honors. She was the 2008 WAC Freshman of the Year and has helped the Bulldogs to a 73-27 record in her career. Ross is a two-time first-team All-WAC selection and is on track to break the NCAA record for most career three-point field goals made as well as the school’s career scoring and steals records. Last year Fresno State set a school record for most victories (27) and posted a perfect 16-0 WAC record.