More than 4 billion people view soccer as the most popular sport in the world. For Jasmine Bass, soccer is more than just a popular game. Since the age of 10, Jasmine has been around sports as she played multiple sports: youth football, soccer, lacrosse, and basketball.  Jasmine found her passion in soccer at the age of 11. Although soccer wasn’t the first sport she played, it is the one game that she found herself playing in a long run. In high school, Bass participated and succeeded in three varsity sports: lacrosse, soccer, and basketball. Jasmine’s leadership led her to be named a three-year captain in soccer, and a two-year captain in lacrosse along with being selected as an all-star, and being named team defensive MVP in basketball during her high school career. 

Bass began her collegiate career at Long Island University at Brooklyn (LIU Brooklyn) in 2017. By the spring semester of 2017, she transferred to Dominican College and was there until 2019. During the 2018 season, Jasmine experienced a partial ACL tear.  By the 2019 season started, Jasmine would transfer to New Jersey City University (NJCU) and found herself getting more opportunities for both academics and athletics at NJCU. In her first year at NJCU in 2019, Bass appeared in 10 games. In those 10 games, she tallied 596 minutes, 6 shots, and 4 shots on goal. By the time 2020 arrived, so many sports teams canceled their season due to COVID-19. Because COVID-19 impacted both the NCAA regular and post-season of different sporting events, all the NCAA athletes would gain an extra year of eligibility in their college career.  Bass’s game would improve in the 2020-21 season as she started in 4 games, scored 2 points, 1 shot, 1 shot on goal (1.000%), and 1 goal (1.000%), and played a total of 270 minutes. Around early 2021, Jasmine experienced a concussion injury; but would come back to play her last year. Bass would tally an overall record of 1,037 minutes, 7 shots on goal, 10 shots, 2 points, 1 goal, and 14 starts in 20 games at NJCU. 

As a student-athlete in the criminal justice field, Jasmine knows first-hand what it takes to balance both college and sports. In a way, Bass sees the sport that she has played since she was 11 and criminal justice major as similar as both deal with precise decision-making along with both the aspect of being mentally and physically prepared.  Bass takes pride in her academics as she saw more opportunities within NJCU as she describes balancing academics and athletics isn’t the easiest. “Being a student-athlete is not easy,” Jasmine states. “Student-athletes do not live as regular students as there is a lot of pressure on them to just compete. If you don’t maintain your grades, you don’t get to perform. When you’re not able to perform, it’s like a drought.” Mental health has become a huge topic within college sports. As an advocate for mental health, Jasmine describes how mental health plays a huge part in athletics. “When it comes to athletes and mental health, it is not so much shine on the part,” Bass states. “Mental health plays a part in athletics and academics, especially when injuries occur.”  The demand of maintaining grades, having to perform at a high expectation, and being put on a pedestal due to the status quo can take a toll on an athlete. Yet, Jasmine reminds us that athletes are humans as she reassures us that it is okay to take a break and focus on yourself to always make sure that you’re well taken care of. “Athletes are humans as well. We do have to get through life just like the students,” Bass explains. 

When it comes to competition, you must always be prepared for the unexpected. When asked what advice she would give to future athletes, Jasmine gets straight to the point: “If you aren’t ready for criticism, fans, disagreements, doubt, trials and tribulations, and hardships, then you shouldn’t pursue the sport. If you can’t prepare yourself for prepare, you have more work to do on yourself.” Bass also details that you must always be prepared for adversity, keep your eyes on the prize,  and always take your time in anything you do. “It’s your journey, nobody else’s. Don’t be fascinated by other people’s success, your journey is different.” 

When it comes to role models, family members are the motivation for the athlete to succeed. Jasmine views her brothers: Darius and Jordan as her inspiration in getting her into sports, particularly tackle football. While playing on the football team, Jasmine was the only girl on the team and was the quickest player as she played wide receiver. In life, Jasmine describes God as her biggest inspiration and sees herself as an inspiration as she continues to grow in her journey. 

Women’s soccer continues to be on the rise as more people have joined to play or watch the biggest games that are being televised. With the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) continuing to bring more trophies to the United States as well as bring awareness to equal pay,  Jasmine sees the sport growing over the years.  It's way long overdue that the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team gets the recognition it deserves.

The late great rapper and activist, Nipsey Hussle once stated that “The best thing you can do for a person is to inspire..” Jasmine fits the definition of what it means to be an inspiration as she aspires to leave a legacy that she is more than just an athlete. When asked what makes her and her story stand out, Jasmine answers it with confidence: “My resilience and strength. I have lost some people through my journey, but my resilience and strength have helped me stay on the course.” Even in her journey,  Jasmine’s strength has inspired so many people. Through adversity, Jasmine’s resilience and strength have helped her keep going toward her purpose and fulfill a legacy. 

As an official Beautiful Ballers athlete, Jasmine was excited to join the team as she saw the empowerment that Beautiful Ballers brings to female athletes. “The fact that the page is based on women's empowerment is something I’m big on,” Bass states. Jasmine admires seeing all of the women in sports share their stories and be able to build, inspire, and create new opportunities.  “It means a lot because the family is all understanding with one another. We’re all on a journey to become a better version of ourselves and find our truths and build together.”

To learn more about Jasmine and her story, be sure to follow her on Instagram: jasssy.al