Lee men's basketball coach Tommy Brown has once again dipped into the Chattanooga area, signing Nick Ross to a scholarship for the 2012-13 season. Ross will transfer from Cleveland State Community College and is a former Red Bank High School standout.

The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 23 points per game as a freshman at Cleveland State to go with seven rebounds and three assists. He was named Tennessee Junior College Freshman of the Year and a Junior College Third Team All-American.

“Ross is a special scorer,” said Brown. “He has a special ability to put the ball in the basket, he’s strong and athletic, and can even post up guards if he needs to.”

College accolades are not the only part of Ross’ basketball resume, however. Starting his sophomore through senior seasons at Red Bank, Ross was a two-time district MVP, attended the state tournament his freshman through junior seasons, and is the high school’s all-time leading scorer.

Brown will be looking to replace much of the scoring punch from the 2011-12 squad, following the graduation of Second Team All-American Ryan Westbrooks (17 points per game).

“We’ve known him for a long time, being a Chattanooga guy and there is a definite void, scoring-wise, with Westbrooks gone,” added Brown. “He has a fierceness and competitiveness with the game on the line that we really like.”

The newest Flame will enter as a sophomore, plans to major in physical education and chose Lee because “it is a great school and it was right for my future.”