Ross Bartlett Returns For One More Year

At the end of the 2008-09 season, Ross Bartlett was unsure whether or not he would return for his final season of eligibility. On track to graduate in May, the psychology grad was unsure of what his future held for him.

The future, it seems, is at Pacific and that is good news for head men's basketball coach Jason Lowery. Bartlett has enrolled in a full load of classes in the University's School of Professional Psychology and will play for the 2009-10 season.

The re-addition of Bartlett, a three-year starter for the Boxers' program, is a great bonus to Lowery and will complement what he feels could be a dynamic lineup. "With four starters back from last year's team, which started off so well before the injuries, and maybe our best recruiting class yet, this could be a fun year."

Bartlett came back last season after missing the 2007-08 season with an ACL tear and provided the Boxers a potent one-two punch with Garold Howe. Bartlett averaged 13.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game in 18 games. He ranked among the Boxers' top shooters, averaging 49.7 percent from the field and 72.5 percent from the free throw line. He sat out seven games in the middle of the year after meniscus surgery.

"Ross played in a lot of pain after he came back after the meniscus surgery," Lowery said. "With a summer and fall of rest and rehab, both knees should be stronger and he should be very effective."

Ross will also get one more chance to play college along side his younger brother, Carson. The two played six games together to begin the 2008-09 season before Carson suffered his own season-ending ACL injury. The two brothers have stayed in Forest Grove over the summer, working together as part of the University's conferences and events student staff.

The 2009-10 season kicks off on Tues., Nov. 17, with a matchup against Portland Bible. The complete schedule will be posted soon on goboxers.com. Lowery has indicated that there will not be any Division I preseason exhibition games this season.