Kevin Cross, Jr Bio
Kevin Cross Jr. (born June 22, 2000) is an American professional basketball player. He plays as a small forward and currently represents the Changsha Yongsheng in the National Basketball League. Listed at 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m) and 225 pounds (102 kg), Cross built his reputation as a versatile forward through four years of college basketball split between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Tulane Green Wave.
After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA draft, Cross began a professional journey that has taken him across Europe, the NBA G League, and Asia. He won an NBL championship in 2025 and has continued to expand his game in international competition.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Cross Jr. was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and grew up in the same city. He attended Mills University Studies High School, where he developed into one of the program’s most productive players. Cross came into his senior season with limited national recruiting attention, but he used that final year to showcase his all-around ability.
As a senior, he averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal per game, leading Mills University Studies to the Arkansas Class 4A state final. His performance drew interest from several college programs, and he committed to Nebraska over TCU and Oklahoma State. Cross graduated from high school and moved on to the college ranks, leaving Arkansas with a reputation as a hard-working forward with strong passing vision.
Path to Basketball
Cross began his college career at Nebraska during the 2019-20 season. As a freshman, he averaged 7.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game for a Cornhuskers team that finished 7-25. Despite the difficult season, the experience convinced Cross that a change of scenery would benefit his development, and he elected to transfer to Tulane following the year.
The move paid off quickly. At Tulane, Cross grew into one of the American Athletic Conference’s most consistent forwards. He earned third-team All-AAC honors in 2022, 2023, and 2024, completing a three-year run of conference recognition. He also represented the United States at the 2021 Summer Universiade in China, where he helped the American team capture a bronze medal.
Kevin Cross, Jr Career
Early Career (2019-2020)
Cross’s early career began at Nebraska, where he spent one season adjusting to the speed and physicality of Division I basketball. Playing in a difficult Big Ten environment, he showed flashes of playmaking ability that hinted at his future role as a point-forward. The Cornhuskers’ struggles did not diminish his confidence, and he entered the transfer portal looking for a program where his skills could flourish.
The decision to join Tulane marked a turning point. Surrounded by a developing roster, Cross earned immediate responsibility and began producing the kind of stat lines that would later define his professional profile.
Tulane Breakthrough (2020-2024)
Cross quickly became a featured player for the Tulane Green Wave. As a sophomore, he averaged 6.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while adjusting to a larger role. By his junior year, his production had climbed to 13.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, demonstrating growth as both a scorer and a facilitator.
His senior season brought more national attention. On December 19, 2023, Cross was named the Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week after recording 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists in a double-overtime win over Furman. In his final collegiate campaign, he averaged 17.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, while shooting 51 percent from the field and 41 percent from beyond the arc. Alongside teammate Jaylen Forbes, he declared for the 2023 NBA draft before withdrawing and returning to Tulane for his senior season. He finished his Tulane career as a three-time third-team All-AAC selection.
Professional Era (2024-Present)
After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA draft, Cross signed with Riesen Ludwigsburg of the Basketball Bundesliga on September 6, 2024. He appeared in four games before terminating his contract on October 15, 2024, and shifting his focus to the NBA G League. He was selected by the Indiana Mad Ants in the 2024 NBA G League draft and was traded to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, where he averaged 6.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.
On April 10, 2025, Cross signed with the Tijuana Zonkeys of the Mexican CIBACOPA, expanding his international resume. He later joined the Changsha Yongsheng in the National Basketball League, where he won an NBL championship in 2025. His path has continued to evolve with additional stints in Asia, including time with the Hong Kong Bulls and, more recently, the Tianjin Pioneers in 2026.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cross’s signature moment came during the 2021 Summer Universiade, where he helped the United States earn a bronze medal and scored 18 points in a semifinal loss to Brazil. His Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week award in December 2023 stands as one of the highlights of his college career, and his 2025 NBL championship marks his first professional title.
Kevin Cross, Jr Family
Personal Life
Kevin Cross Jr. maintains a private personal life away from the court. Public information about his immediate family is limited, and details about parents, partners, or children have not been widely reported. Cross continues to focus on his professional basketball career and international opportunities.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a breakthrough year for Kevin Cross Jr. on the professional stage. After splitting the early part of the 2024-25 campaign between the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and Riesen Ludwigsburg, he transitioned into international basketball and joined the Changsha Yongsheng of the National Basketball League. His play helped the team capture the NBL championship, giving Cross his first professional title.
He also added experience in Asia with the Hong Kong Bulls and later signed with the Tijuana Zonkeys of the Mexican CIBACOPA, demonstrating his willingness to adapt to different leagues and styles of play. The variety of competition strengthened his resume as a versatile forward capable of contributing in multiple roles.
Heading into the remainder of 2025 and beyond, Cross remains an active professional seeking new opportunities to showcase his skills. His combination of size, passing ability, and shooting touch continues to attract teams across global leagues, and he is expected to pursue further opportunities in Asia and beyond.