Gross won’t be returning to EWU
Trey Gross, who did not return to Eastern Washington University following Christmas break, has enrolled a junior college in his hometown of Stockton Calif., and will not be rejoining EWU's men's basketball team.
Gross has still not informed Eagles coach Kirk Earlywine of his decision, but I talked to his former high school coach on Thursday and filed a story for Friday morning' s S-R. You can read an unedited version of it below.
Trey Gross, who left
According to Richie Lynch, his former coach at
“He told me he just wanted to be closer to home,” said Lynch, who took over the Edison program three years ago and coached Gross during his senior season, when he averaged 21 points a game in leading his team to a 22-9 record and the quarterfinals of the NorCal Division I playoffs. “I think homesickness played a part in his decision.”
EWU coach Kirk Earlywine had expressed concerned over Gross’ wellbeing after not hearing from the 6-foot-2 sophomore guard following the holidays. And when reached Thursday in Greeley, Colo., where the Eagles were preparing for Thursday night’s Big Sky Conference game against Northern Colorado, Earlywine said Gross had still not returned phone calls to inform him of his whereabouts or his future plans.
“It really seemed strange,” admitted Earlywine, who added he would not be willing to let Gross return to the team again should he change his mind about transferring. “Trey is a guy we’ve invested a lot of time and coaching hours in, and anytime you lose a guy who’s been in your program awhile, it can hurt.
“But I think the guys on our team will look at his leaving as an opportunity for them to play more minutes.”
Gross, who was recruited to Eastern by Earlywine’s successor, Mike Burns, played in 12 games prior to Christmas break, making two starts and averaging 4.6 points. As a freshman, he played in 26 of 30 games and averaged 7.3 points.
Gross originally decided not to return to Eastern last summer and enrolled in a junior college. But he was talked into returning to Cheney this fall by Eagles teammate Benny Valentine.
Gross did not return messages left on his cell phone Thursday morning.