When the JBA tipped off its lone season back in 2018, the Houston Ballers were still in need of a dynamic forward with a knack for sharpshooting. That’s when Jordell Ross stepped in.
Coming off an impressive freshman season with Dakota College at Bottineau, Ross was looking for an opportunity to showcase his game on a larger scale.
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In came the JBA, a professional basketball league founded by LaVar Ball with the goal of giving high-level players the chance to make money through both a base salary and a percentage of jersey sales.
The Houston Ballers ultimately gave Ross a call just after the 2018 season began, and he pounced on the opportunity.
“Playing with the Houston Ballers in the JBA was a major part of my journey,” Ross told Ball Exclusives. “It pushed me to grow every day because I was competing with talented players who were all chasing the same dream.”
The JBA featured a number of superstars, including LaVar’s two youngest sons, LaMelo and LiAngelo Ball. When Ross joined his hometown team as an elite marksman, the league’s heightened media attention forced him to adapt to the spotlight.
“It was definitely an adjustment,” he said. “Everything happened so fast. I just tried to stay level-headed and not get caught up in the hype. I kept my focus.”
During his time on the Houston Ballers, Ross elevated his game and consistently scored in double figures while making an impact on the glass.
Although detailed box scores and statistical records for much of the JBA’s lone season are sparse, it’s confirmed that Ross had 18 points heading into halftime of a thrilling regular season battle against the two younger Ball brothers and the Los Angeles Ballers. L.A. came out on top of that game with a 169-153 victory.
It may have been short-lived, but the JBA was an early precursor to the current NIL system used in collegiate sports today. The immediate spotlight combined with an unprecedented system helped prepare Ross for international basketball.
After an impressive campaign in the JBA, Ross continued to work on his game before embarking on a 14-game tour in Egypt. He later arrived in Mexico, where he’s spent the past five years showcasing his skills for both the Scorpions de Tabasco and Huajuapan Express.
He averaged a 20-point 10-rebound double-double on both squads and his impressive play earned him an All-Star nod in the Ciprodebaco League.
Ross said that playing basketball internationally was a culture shock with a major impact on his skillset and approach to the game.
“Playing in different countries definitely changed my game,” he said. “Every place had a different style of basketball, so I couldn’t rely on just one way of playing.”
“[In Egypt,] I had to adjust to a more physical and disciplined style that taught me to slow down, make better reads and stay mentally locked in. Then in Mexico, I learned the importance of teamwork, ball movement and making the right play.”
Jordell Ross jumps for the ball during a game while playing for the Scorpions de Tabasco.
The basketball culture in Mexico is defined by fans that are extremely passionate, culminating a game-time atmosphere that is deafening. Ross leans on his faith when it’s time to lock in and tune out the intense noise before competition.
“I always say a prayer because I give God the glory for how far he’s brought me with the game of basketball and I know he’s not done yet,” he said. “I’ve been playing basketball so long that it’s second nature. So when it’s game-time, I’m not worried about the crowd.”
In 2026, Ross is still leveling up his game with the long-term goal of reaching the next level of professional basketball. All he’s looking for is an opportunity similar to the one he got when the Houston Ballers reached out to him nearly a decade ago.
“My ultimate goal is to land a great opportunity at that next level where I can actually showcase what I can do,” he said. “Like I did when the JBA called upon me after the season had started.”
Ross’s basketball journey has been anything but traditional and he’s displayed exceptional dedication and discipline. His advice to younger athletes searching for opportunities internationally is to lean into the unknown.
“My biggest piece of advice is to stay ready and stay humble. Playing internationally is a blessing, but it comes with challenges. You’re going to be in different countries, around different cultures and playing against different styles of basketball, so you have to be willing to adapt.”
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
