Junior, Jaslyn Jefferson, plays basketball for Shadow Ridge. She has been playing basketball since she was a little girl, and has grown into the varsity player she is today. Over the summer of this school year she played for a team named Vegas Elite which was coached by Johnny Wheeler, who is also the current coach of the Ridge’s basketball team. Jefferson will be on the varsity girl’s basketball team for the 2024-2025 season.
Jefferson began playing for school teams when she was in middle school during her 8th grade year. As she continued to play, she has continued to improve and learn what basketball means to her.
She states, “I started playing basketball when I was 5 years old. I joined a team my 8th grade year for middle school and that is when my parents figured out I was good. Since I continued I learned basketball helps me express myself and experience opportunities. I believe if I keep going I will make it far, that is a huge goal. I also like to travel across the country for tournaments, which also pushes me to play more and more.”
Jefferson was impacted by basketball throughout her life by people she met. It showed her multiple opportunities for her sports career. As she continues to play basketball, it inspires her to make a career out of it.
“I do see a future with basketball. I would love to continue my senior year. I am looking forward to senior night, which is the best part of being a senior. My goal is to make it very far into my career in the WNBA and getting large NIL deals. However, if basketball is not very successful for me, I still want to be near it, therefore I would be a trainer or a sports manager,” comments Jefferson.
One of her biggest supporters throughout her sports career has been Coach Wheeler. He has impacted her career by being a great mentor throughout his time teaching and coaching her.
Jefferson says, “I would say Coach Johnny has been my biggest supporter because he supports me in everything I do. He also tries to push me to my full potential, he has been one of the best coaches I have ever had.”
Other supporters who have impacted Jefferson’s life are her parents and God. They have both equally impacted her sports career in huge ways.
“My other biggest supporters have been my parents. They have taught me things outside of basketball that have made me who I am and things that still apply to basketball. Also God has been a huge supporter because he blessed me with my talent and my parents,” states Jefferson.
Jefferson is looking forward to this year’s basketball season at Shadow Ridge. She has the determination to make it to the championships. She is also hoping to be scouted as this is her first year they will be able to look at her.
Jefferson comments, “I am looking forward to making it to the finals again like my sophomore year. I also am looking forward to getting offers from colleges.”
As stated before, Coach Wheeler has been a big inspiration to Jefferson’s sports life and will continue to do so as she goes through her current season and her senior season in a year. He appreciates how coachable Jefferson is and cannot wait to watch her grow as a basketball player.
“Jaslyn comes with a lot of experience and is one of our team captains! We traveled a lot together over the summer with our club team. Therefore she was able to gain a lot of experience. Jaslyn is an amazing player/person on and off the court. She is very excited to watch but mostly, very coachable,” states Coach Johnny.
