Ethan Erickson becomes the greatest shooter in Ferris State history
Ferris State’s Ethan Erickson shoots a 3-pointer against Calvin University during a scrimmage on Oct. 22, 2024. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Ethan Erickson is the greatest shooter in Ferris State University basketball history.
Which is pretty amazing considering he wasn’t allowed to shoot 3-pointers until he was in sixth grade.
“My mom didn’t want me to shoot any threes until like sixth grade,” Erickson recalled of his mother Michelle Erickson. “I was really good at scoring, but she didn’t want me to shoot yet. I guess it was because she didn’t want me to screw up my form. But then one game (in sixth grade), my coach drew up a play for me (to shoot a 3-pointer) and I made it.”
And he hasn’t stopped shooting since.
Erickson recently set the Ferris State career mark for 3-pointers. He surpassed Carlton Epps, who finished with 240 from 2001-05. After four games, Erickson now has 243 3-pointers. The GLIAC record is a sunning 442 by Gannon’s Steve Moyer (1994-99). Second place is 325 by Hillsdale’s Jerry Tharpe (1987-91).
“I wasn’t even thinking about it,” Erickson said of the record. “I haven’t had many games where I haven’t hit a 3-pointer. It was nice to do it in front of the home crowd.”
Ferris State’s Ethan Erickson shares a laugh with teammates on the bench during a game on Dec. 2, 2022. (Photo | Lenny Padilla).
Erickson set the single-season record for 3-pointer at Ferris last season when he drained 118.
He also reached 1,000 career points in the second game of this season.
Erickson did all that without starting a single game until this year.
“It’s a little weird, honestly,” he said of finally being in the starting lineup. “I started a lot in my life. But it was weird at first this year. I would be able to watch the other team at first from the bench (my first three years).”
The 6-foot, 180-pound Erickson was always been the undersized kid on the court. But he made the varsity team as a freshman at Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern High School. He even drained 12 3-pointers in one game as a junior.
“I hit 12 against Lowell,” he recalled. “And I only played 18 minutes in that game. We were up by a lot.”
Erickson said his coach at Ferris, Andy Bronkema, wants him putting up at least eight 3-point attempts per game.
So how do teams guard him knowing he’s going to shoot?
“They can try to stop me but they’re all running around trying to guard me while my teammates are screening for me,” he said with a laugh.
Erickson said he doesn’t plan to go for a graduate degree and play one more season.
“Not at the moment,” he said. “I’m going to try to play overseas. I want to travel and see the world. I’m not opposed to (a grad year). But I can’t stay at Ferris if I do.”
He said he’d love to coach or train players at some point.
“My dad’s gonna retire soon,” he said of Mike Erickson. “Maybe opening a gym in grand Rapids is a possibility.”
Ferris State’s Ethan Erickson poses with his parents, Mike and Michelle Erickson, on Dec. 2, 2022. (Photo | Lenny Padilla)
