For Ethan Rose, basketball has never just been a game. It has been a constant through some of the toughest moments of his career.

Now in his third year with the West Yorkshire Hawks, Ethan‘s journey has not followed a smooth or predictable path.

A 6’7” centre and power forward, he has spent much of his time with the club battling back from injury rather than being on the floor. Two ACL tears in the same knee. Two surgeries. And nearly two years of rehabilitation.

Yet despite the setbacks, Ethan has remained a core part of the Hawks since day one. 

From the beginning

Looking back to the early days of the club, Ethan remembers how different things were. “Our first training sessions were at this little school,” he said. “It was a struggle to start with. But it was fun.”

Since then, the Hawks have grown in every sense. Bigger crowds, a stronger squad, and a more established identity. Being part of that growth has meant a lot to Ethan, especially during times when he could not contribute on court.

“The whole team, the whole club, have been very supportive of my injuries,” he said. “That’s meant a lot.”

The mental battle

While the physical demands of injury recovery are obvious, Ethan is clear about what the hardest part really is.

“Mentally, it’s the hardest part,” he explained. “The physical stuff comes over time. But having to come to training and just watch, going to games and watching the senior team lose when you think you could’ve done something about it… that’s hard.”

That sense of helplessness tested him more than any rehab exercise. But support from within the club helped him through those moments. “Mark always reached out,” he said. “The team’s been really supportive.”

Staying connected

Even while sidelined, Ethan made a conscious effort to stay involved. Showing up to training when he could. Staying active in the group chat. Watching game film and clips.

“I didn’t want to be too far out,” he said. “When I came back, I still knew how my teammates played, what certain players like and don’t like.” That connection helped bridge the gap between injury and return, mentally preparing him for the moment he could step back onto the court.

“Just my love for the sport,” Ethan said. “I love the sport more than just a sport.”

For Ethan, that love has been the driving force behind every long rehab day and every training session watched from the sidelines. It is what kept him showing up, staying connected, and remaining fully invested in the squad, even when he could not yet contribute on the court.

A new approach

The injuries also changed the way Ethan approaches his body and the game. “Before my injury, I never went to the gym. It was just basketball,” he admitted. “But it showed the importance of the weight room.”

This time around, he committed fully. Rehab, strength work, and investing in proper physio support. Lessons learned the hard way, but lessons he now takes seriously. “The first time, I didn’t do my rehab properly. That’s on me,” he said. “This time, I’ve taken it a lot more seriously.”

Simply being back

After two long rehabilitation periods, Ethan is clear about what he wants most. “Just playing,” he said. “That’s enough for me.”

After surgeries, setbacks, and months of waiting, being able to train and play again is something he no longer takes for granted.

Giving back

Having received so much support from the club, pulling on a Hawks jersey now carries even more meaning.

“It means a lot being able to give back,” Ethan said. “They’ve given me so much support. Now I can finally contribute and hopefully help us win. That makes me proud.”

A message for others

For any player going through a similar setback, Ethan’s advice is simple but powerful. “Keep people around you,” he said. “I isolated myself the first time and it didn’t help. Stay positive. Keep winning every day. Days stack up.”

For Ethan Rose, resilience is no longer just a concept. It’s lived experience. And now, finally back where he belongs, it’s a story still being written.