Villanova Point Guard Jasmine Bascoe Finding the Right Balance

Star Villanova point guard Jasmine Bascoe appeared on a segment of Big East Summer Vacation, the conference’s offseason periodical catching up with players from around the world. Bascoe hails from Milton, Ontario and described her small-town upbringing, answering personality-driven questions like her favorite food options on campus — Greek cuisine and poutine — and go-to music choices. She also described how she made it from Milton to the Main Line, crediting the exposure she gained while playing on her travel team.

“Kia Nurse Elite is a great AAU program in the EYBL. It’s Canada’s only EYBL team, so we got a lot of great exposure,” Bascoe said. “I played with some amazing players that are doing amazing things in the NCAA right now as well. So we just got a really good early chance to show who we are.”

Standing all of 5-foot-7, Bascoe’s small stature leads other athletes to underestimate her, and she admitted that she does play with a chip on her shoulder because of it at times. She also drew inspiration from her brother Josh, who played at Bucknell, and relied on the guidance her father provided.

Staying Levelheaded

“People look at you and just assume you’re not as good ‘cause you’re short and you can’t keep up. But I try and prove them wrong every day. I’ve had many people come up to me and say ‘oh, I thought you’d be taller,’ and I’m like ‘well, I’m not.’ So just kind of gotta work with it,” Bascoe said. “My dad has been my trainer and he didn’t let me and my brother think ‘oh, just ‘cause we’re smaller means we can’t play.’ So I would say I don’t really think about it, but sometimes I’m like ‘okay, I’m going to prove them wrong.’”

After earning First Team All-Big East honors in each of her first two seasons, Bascoe said that Villanova’s coaching staff helps her toe the line between remaining grounded and not letting the moment get too big. She also tries to focus on taking things one day at a time, which can provide a challenge in light of her meteoric career trajectory.

I just think my coaches do a great job communicating with me and just keeping me levelheaded. Never feel overwhelmed, they just keep everything very clear and we do a great job just communicating with each other week to week,” Bascoe said. “Just to be very patient. Coming in, right into it, quick, as a freshman, I always thought it would just be a perfect transition. But gotta grow as a player, and that takes time. I can’t just expect myself to just do it perfectly. I’ve got to give myself some grace.”