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Q&A with Utah Women's Basketball's Reese Ross
9/4/2025 12:28 PM | Women's Basketball
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah women's basketball is preparing for the 2025-26 season and welcoming back several familiar faces including junior forward Reese Ross.
Ross, a Rapid City, South Dakota native, has played in 62 games as a Ute. She's shooting 50.6 % from the field, 35.2% from the three and 68.2% from the line in her initial two seasons with Utah. She's pulled down 271 rebounds averaging 4.4 boards per game.
UtahUtes.com recently talked with Ross and she shared why she came to Utah and some of things she's proud of about her style of play.
1. What's your favorite thing about Utah and the women's basketball program here?
The culture and consistency of it. I like knowing that every one of the people I meet is going to have an impact on the rest of my life.
2. What is a core basketball memory?
Driving 9.5 hours every weekend to Minneapolis from South Dakota to play for my North Tartan EYBL AAU team.
3. If you could play any other sport collegiately, what would you play and why?
I would definitely play volleyball because it is something I played for many years outside of basketball. It was kind of a dream of mine to play both in college, but competing at that high a level in both is really challenging.
4. If one of your teammates is having a bad day/game, what would you say to them to give them a pep talk?
I would tell them one bad lap doesn't define them, and there's always a chance for growth in failure.
5. What's an aspect of your basketball game that you're most proud of and why?
I would say my grittiness, my willingness to do the dirty work and always giving 110% even on my bad days.
6. Who is someone you look up to or admire and describe why?
Both of my parents because they inspire me in different ways. My dad was able to raise me as a single father, to always be a strong and persevering woman. My mom raised me to be emotional and a very charismatic person who has a deep love for people. She also taught me to always hold myself strong.
7. How do you reset and regroup after losses or bad practices?
I just remember there's always an opportunity to grow in failure. Mistakes are gonna be made, but it's what you do with the situation you're given. If you let it completely deteriorate you, there's no growth in that.
8. What's the coolest sports memory or moment you've ever witnessed with your own two eyes?
Last year when Maty Wilke hit the half-court buzzer beater in overtime to beat BYU in the last home game of the season.
9. What is a favorite sports moment in history that sticks with you?
I would say this generation of women's basketball will stick with me for the rest of my life. Right now is the best time to be a female athlete, and all of the people who are supporting women's sports, it is so cool to be a part of.
10. What would your walk-up song be?
Diva by Beyoncé
11. If you could time travel, would you travel to the past or future? Is there something specific you'd want to see? What and Why?
I would have loved to grow up in the time of my parents because it seemed like they had so much careless fun with their friends. Technology wasn't so dominant. I would also like to go back to the time of the world wars and experience that, just because I have a niche for history. I grew up watching all the war movies and TV series with my grandpa, and that's definitely a core memory and why I would want to go back to that time.
12. What are three words to describe yourself?
Resilient, passionate and misunderstood
13. What are some of your favorite hobbies outside of basketball?
Riding side-by-sides, dirt bikes and shooting guns. I also love doing arts and crafts
14. What's your biggest green flag?
I help other people grow into their best selves. I like to push people farther than they think they can go, and impacted many lives by being ambitious, understanding, and bold.
Bonus! Share one fun fact about yourself that you want the world to know
Ross, a Rapid City, South Dakota native, has played in 62 games as a Ute. She's shooting 50.6 % from the field, 35.2% from the three and 68.2% from the line in her initial two seasons with Utah. She's pulled down 271 rebounds averaging 4.4 boards per game.
UtahUtes.com recently talked with Ross and she shared why she came to Utah and some of things she's proud of about her style of play.
1. What's your favorite thing about Utah and the women's basketball program here?
The culture and consistency of it. I like knowing that every one of the people I meet is going to have an impact on the rest of my life.
2. What is a core basketball memory?
Driving 9.5 hours every weekend to Minneapolis from South Dakota to play for my North Tartan EYBL AAU team.
3. If you could play any other sport collegiately, what would you play and why?
I would definitely play volleyball because it is something I played for many years outside of basketball. It was kind of a dream of mine to play both in college, but competing at that high a level in both is really challenging.
4. If one of your teammates is having a bad day/game, what would you say to them to give them a pep talk?
I would tell them one bad lap doesn't define them, and there's always a chance for growth in failure.
5. What's an aspect of your basketball game that you're most proud of and why?
I would say my grittiness, my willingness to do the dirty work and always giving 110% even on my bad days.
6. Who is someone you look up to or admire and describe why?
Both of my parents because they inspire me in different ways. My dad was able to raise me as a single father, to always be a strong and persevering woman. My mom raised me to be emotional and a very charismatic person who has a deep love for people. She also taught me to always hold myself strong.
7. How do you reset and regroup after losses or bad practices?
I just remember there's always an opportunity to grow in failure. Mistakes are gonna be made, but it's what you do with the situation you're given. If you let it completely deteriorate you, there's no growth in that.
8. What's the coolest sports memory or moment you've ever witnessed with your own two eyes?
Last year when Maty Wilke hit the half-court buzzer beater in overtime to beat BYU in the last home game of the season.
9. What is a favorite sports moment in history that sticks with you?
I would say this generation of women's basketball will stick with me for the rest of my life. Right now is the best time to be a female athlete, and all of the people who are supporting women's sports, it is so cool to be a part of.
10. What would your walk-up song be?
Diva by Beyoncé
11. If you could time travel, would you travel to the past or future? Is there something specific you'd want to see? What and Why?
I would have loved to grow up in the time of my parents because it seemed like they had so much careless fun with their friends. Technology wasn't so dominant. I would also like to go back to the time of the world wars and experience that, just because I have a niche for history. I grew up watching all the war movies and TV series with my grandpa, and that's definitely a core memory and why I would want to go back to that time.
12. What are three words to describe yourself?
Resilient, passionate and misunderstood
13. What are some of your favorite hobbies outside of basketball?
Riding side-by-sides, dirt bikes and shooting guns. I also love doing arts and crafts
14. What's your biggest green flag?
I help other people grow into their best selves. I like to push people farther than they think they can go, and impacted many lives by being ambitious, understanding, and bold.
Bonus! Share one fun fact about yourself that you want the world to know
- I love pickles to the point where I will freeze pickle juice and eat it like a popsicle
- I am obsessed with uncooked noodles and ramen seasoning
- My favorite food combo is Doritos and cottage cheese
- I LOVE BRANDING CATTLE
- I could eat sushi every day of my life
- I'm the only girl in my immediate family
- I am ADDICTED TO STARBUCKS; My go-to order is strawberry acai refreshers with lemonade, light ice, no berry inclusions and extra strawberry base (like everyday its a must)
SEASON TICKETS
Fans can purchase season tickets for Utah women's basketball for $75 at https://utahutes.evenue.net/list/WB
FOLLOW THE UTES
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @UtahWBB | Instagram: @UtahWBB | Facebook: Facebook.com/UtahWBB).
Players Mentioned
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