Lehigh Hoops Nation, as part of the continuing effort to get everyone prepared and ready for the ’13-’14 edition of Lehigh Basketball, was fortunate enough to chat with forward John Ross Glover, a transfer from Lipscomb. While he has to sit out this season due to transfer rules, this Q&A should help Mountain Hawk fans get familiar with John Ross. Special thanks to John Ross for taking the time to chat!
Q.) What is your earliest basketball memory?
A.) Definitely the little tikes goal I got on Christmas day (which is also my birthday) when I was 5. Best day ever.
Q.) Where do the athletic genes come from?
A.) I would say my dad. He was a football player. Definitely not my mom (she’ll kill me for saying that). She was a cheerleader. Other than that, I have no idea. I don’t have the most athletic family. I’m unique!
Q.) Was it always a dream of yours to play college basketball?
A.) Yes. I recognized that my passion was this great game of basketball and I always wanted to play at the highest level.
Q.) What led to your decision to transfer to Lehigh from Lipscomb, where you played your freshman year?
A.) It was a combination of academics and basketball. Academically, I didn’t feel I was being challenged enough at Lipscomb. Classes were easy. Some may say that’s the goal! Well, I realized that I want an elite college degree that will open doors for me to go to an elite law school. Lehigh is a tremendous school that challenges its students in every way. Simply put, my former school would not have afforded me the maximum opportunities to be successful after basketball. Then there’s the basketball side of things. My team last year was driven by conflict and rifts between teammates. The culture was just no good and it resulted in lots of losses. I was proud of my personal performances in our games and the amount of hard work I devoted to getting better. However, the type of teammate I was around day in and day out was very disappointing. The comparison of teammate and team unity here at Lehigh is like night and day. Everyone respects each guy on our team as well as genuinely caring for the guy next to him. The guys on our team are “all in” for what it means to be a student athlete at Lehigh. That is something that I am honored to be a part of.
Q.) Due to NCAA rules, you will have to sit out this year, but I’m curious if you have spent any time talking to Jesse about how to best utilize your transfer year?
A.) Yes I have! Jesse and I work out a lot together just because we have very similar work ethics and devotion to the game. Jesse is phenomenally talented and will be extremely successful this year. We have discussed the importance of keeping perspective and being able to motivate yourself when it gets hard. It will be hard but I am confident I will become an even better player this time next year.
Q.) Any specific aspects of your game that you’ll focus on improving the most?
A.) I am focusing on my shooting ability as well as my court vision. This comes from studying film and trying to gain a better basketball IQ. I want to be a player who makes every other player on the floor with me better.
Q.) How has the Lehigh family welcomed you to the team since your arrival on campus in August?
A.) It is indescribable! I feel like I have been here 2 years already instead of 2 months. My teammates are incredible and I enjoy each day I get to spend competing with them. My classes are great and I love the campus life!
Q.) Can you give Lehigh fans a self scouting report on your game?
A.) I love to get out and run the wing. I love playing above the rim and crashing the glass. I can use my athleticism to take defenders off the dribble and also knock down perimeter shots. I take pride in playing harder than the next guy out there. I also take pride in the way I prepare for games.
Q.) What “current” NBA player best describes your style of play?
A.) I just asked my roommate this question and he said Blake Griffin. I don’t think my vertical is quite equal to his yet but I say it’s still a fair comparison. He is a guy who flat out competes and uses his athleticism to score. Plus he has an amazing work ethic and is constantly adding dimensions to his game.
Q.) Tell us about yourself off the court?
A.) Off the court, I am doing one of 3 things: studying, golfing, or watching a movie. I try and carry over my work ethic in basketball to the classroom in hopes of achieving high grades. I love to golf. I don’t know where I picked it up but I just always have. It relaxes me and also has competitive elements. I love movies too. Chances are, you think of a movie, I have seen it. I watch the Oscars and root for my favorites. I would definitely say I am a movie geek!
Thanks again John Ross.
LHN
