University of Minnesota Athletics
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
Introducing... Jasmine Powell
7/10/2019 10:23:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Minnesota women's basketball team welcomes seven newcomers to the team for the 2019-20 season. GopherSports.com will sit down with each of them to get to know them better as they prepare for their first season in the Maroon and Gold.
Up next, it's Jasmine Powell, a 5'6 guard from Detroit, Mich., who was a four-star recruit, the 78th player overall in the class and the 23rd-ranked point guard in the class, according to ESPN. She helped lead her high school, Detroit Country Day, to back-to-back state championships in 2017 and 2018. A three-time all-state honoree, Powell averaged 18.4 points, 8.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds as a senior.
GopherSports.com: What was your recruiting process like?
Jasmine Powell: "It was a little hectic because it was in and out at times. My freshman year and sophomore years were a little slow, and then my junior year I ended up having a big summer in AAU. That was when all the offers started coming. But the most hectic part about it was the all the coaches around the country and having to know everybody and pick which ones you really like."
GS: What made you decide on Minnesota?
JP: "It mainly had to do with my personal goals, which are to win an NCAA championship and eventually go to the WNBA. I just felt like Coach Lindsay (Whalen) was the person that could do that for me, especially with her background of playing in the WNBA and since I'm a point guard. I just felt like that connection would be there, as well."
GS: You were high school teammates with Destiny Pitts. How big of a role did she play in you coming here?
JP: "She played a big role because everyone wants to go to a school where you know somebody because going there and not knowing anyone can be nerve-racking. Knowing that she was here and was going to be able to help me transition and teach me the ropes early on, that was a good thing for me because I knew I was going to need it, especially knowing what I wanted to do."
GS: Has she done that for you?
JP: "Yeah, big time. Whenever we need to know what's going on, especially when the coaches don't say specifically what you're supposed to be doing, she'll tell me. I think she's really been big for this team."
GS: What do you remember about being teammates with her?
JP: "For us, we always that good coordination and that good chemistry. I think from AAU to Country Day to now, it's just there. All I know is that she's always going to be the one to make the big shots, and she knows that I can be the one to get to the ball, too, so it's like we already know."
GS: As someone who wants to go to the next level, what's it been like been like to be coached by Lindsay Whalen?
JP: "At first I was nervous but I think everyone might be, but as you keep practicing and getting her input you really start to put it into your game and you see that you can change and she knows exactly what she's talking about. If you just listen to her, that's the key. Just keep listening and take what she says and put it into your game."
GS: Have you seen your game grow since getting here?
JP: "Yeah, I think the things she teaches, along with what the assistant coaches teach, are very crucial to surviving here because using what they say is how you'll stay up and stay moving. For my game personally, I think I've seen a lot of change from what I had been doing to now, defensively and offensively."
GS: How has the adjustment been to college life?
JP: "I don't think college was this foreign thing to me since my high school was kind of like college, it was a college preparatory school with the class schedules and all the free time. Being away from family is definitely one of the big differences, but college life is right now is going pretty well. I think I'm adjusting well."
GS: How would you describe your game?
JP: "I think I'm the player that gets the job done. I don't specify which type of role I play, I just do whatever needs to be done; I can do it. Offensively I'm a floor general, I see the floor and try to get everyone the ball. I always go by the saying 'an assist is just as good as two points,' and I think that's how I've flourished all this time by not being a selfish player and being a team player. Winning is a part of that."
GS: Is there any significance to you jersey number?
JP: "At first I chose No. 4 because my birthday is on April 4, and growing up I stuck with it. Then watching WNBA players like Skylar Diggins wear No. 4, I just like the number."
Off the court with Jasmine
Favorite Food: Steak, medium-rare
Favorite Movie: The Meg; I used to love shark movies growing up, like Jaws
Favorite TV Show: The Office
Favorite Musicians: Chris Brown, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Trey Songz, Rihanna
Player you model your game after: Kyrie Irving because he's a playmaker and knows when to pass and when to just go because the team needs it; and that's one of my biggest things, too
Hidden Talent: I can cook, spaghetti
Highlight of your basketball career: Coming to Minnesota; growing up and thinking about going to college, it was always my goal to play in the Big Ten so coming here was a 'wow' moment for me.
Up next, it's Jasmine Powell, a 5'6 guard from Detroit, Mich., who was a four-star recruit, the 78th player overall in the class and the 23rd-ranked point guard in the class, according to ESPN. She helped lead her high school, Detroit Country Day, to back-to-back state championships in 2017 and 2018. A three-time all-state honoree, Powell averaged 18.4 points, 8.0 assists and 5.7 rebounds as a senior.
GopherSports.com: What was your recruiting process like?
Jasmine Powell: "It was a little hectic because it was in and out at times. My freshman year and sophomore years were a little slow, and then my junior year I ended up having a big summer in AAU. That was when all the offers started coming. But the most hectic part about it was the all the coaches around the country and having to know everybody and pick which ones you really like."
GS: What made you decide on Minnesota?
JP: "It mainly had to do with my personal goals, which are to win an NCAA championship and eventually go to the WNBA. I just felt like Coach Lindsay (Whalen) was the person that could do that for me, especially with her background of playing in the WNBA and since I'm a point guard. I just felt like that connection would be there, as well."
GS: You were high school teammates with Destiny Pitts. How big of a role did she play in you coming here?
JP: "She played a big role because everyone wants to go to a school where you know somebody because going there and not knowing anyone can be nerve-racking. Knowing that she was here and was going to be able to help me transition and teach me the ropes early on, that was a good thing for me because I knew I was going to need it, especially knowing what I wanted to do."
GS: Has she done that for you?
JP: "Yeah, big time. Whenever we need to know what's going on, especially when the coaches don't say specifically what you're supposed to be doing, she'll tell me. I think she's really been big for this team."
GS: What do you remember about being teammates with her?
JP: "For us, we always that good coordination and that good chemistry. I think from AAU to Country Day to now, it's just there. All I know is that she's always going to be the one to make the big shots, and she knows that I can be the one to get to the ball, too, so it's like we already know."
GS: As someone who wants to go to the next level, what's it been like been like to be coached by Lindsay Whalen?
JP: "At first I was nervous but I think everyone might be, but as you keep practicing and getting her input you really start to put it into your game and you see that you can change and she knows exactly what she's talking about. If you just listen to her, that's the key. Just keep listening and take what she says and put it into your game."
GS: Have you seen your game grow since getting here?
JP: "Yeah, I think the things she teaches, along with what the assistant coaches teach, are very crucial to surviving here because using what they say is how you'll stay up and stay moving. For my game personally, I think I've seen a lot of change from what I had been doing to now, defensively and offensively."
GS: How has the adjustment been to college life?
JP: "I don't think college was this foreign thing to me since my high school was kind of like college, it was a college preparatory school with the class schedules and all the free time. Being away from family is definitely one of the big differences, but college life is right now is going pretty well. I think I'm adjusting well."
GS: How would you describe your game?
JP: "I think I'm the player that gets the job done. I don't specify which type of role I play, I just do whatever needs to be done; I can do it. Offensively I'm a floor general, I see the floor and try to get everyone the ball. I always go by the saying 'an assist is just as good as two points,' and I think that's how I've flourished all this time by not being a selfish player and being a team player. Winning is a part of that."
GS: Is there any significance to you jersey number?
JP: "At first I chose No. 4 because my birthday is on April 4, and growing up I stuck with it. Then watching WNBA players like Skylar Diggins wear No. 4, I just like the number."
Off the court with Jasmine
Favorite Food: Steak, medium-rare
Favorite Movie: The Meg; I used to love shark movies growing up, like Jaws
Favorite TV Show: The Office
Favorite Musicians: Chris Brown, Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Trey Songz, Rihanna
Player you model your game after: Kyrie Irving because he's a playmaker and knows when to pass and when to just go because the team needs it; and that's one of my biggest things, too
Hidden Talent: I can cook, spaghetti
Highlight of your basketball career: Coming to Minnesota; growing up and thinking about going to college, it was always my goal to play in the Big Ten so coming here was a 'wow' moment for me.
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