A Bronx product from the Gun Hill section of the borough, Cross attended OSL from 1994-96 and played for coach Victor Hall, averaging 19 points and 15 rebounds a game as a 6-4 forward forced to play center. He once scored 30 points against Long Island Lutheran star and future North Carolina center Vasco Evtimov.
"He was great, but I never thought he would get into coaching," said Hall, who called Cross his first superstar. "The little chess game, he always studied that . . . He says he was always watching me to learn, but I never knew that."
Coaching turned out to be a perfect fit, Hall said, given Cross' "laid-back style" and knowledge of "the game within the game."
Always quick with a smile - even after a loss - Cross has earned the trust of high school players who are attracted by his affable demeanor. He's still coaching a few who had suited up for him at OSL: Will Harrison and Allan Forbes played for K.Y.D.A last week, and Brian Wilson and Winston Graham are both with the Panthers.
From Burrell to former St. Ray's standouts Kevin Parrom and Omari Lawrence, players feel a sense of loyalty to Cross - and it's a connection that could benefit St. John's, which has struggled to attract top local talent since Roberts took over the Red Storm in 2004.