Russell Cross attended and played basketball at Manley High School, located on the West Side of Chicago.

[1] The 6'10" center moved on to attend Purdue University, where he played his freshman season under first year head coach, Gene Keady.

In his sophomore season, Cross helped lead them to the NIT Finals with All-Big Ten teammate, Keith Edmonson.

Russell Cross skipped his senior year at Purdue to enter the 1983 NBA draft, where he was selected as the 6th pick in the first round by the Golden State Warriors.

This biographical article relating to a United States basketball player, coach, or other figure born in the 1960s is a stub.