Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

When Jasmine Daniels was a standout basketball player at Lodi High School, she was more of a “point forward,” a ball handling wizard who ran the Rams’ offense and also went after rebounds with reckless abandon.

However, when Daniels arrived at Rutgers-Newark last year and became part of the Scarlet Raiders, she had to learn how to play a new position.

“We didn’t view her as a guard,” said R-N head women’s basketball coach Kevin Morris. “We knew that she could do other things well, like run the floor and make the short jumper. She’s a very versatile player. But we didn’t need her to bring the ball up.”

Daniels understood that her role was going to change as a collegiate player.

“I never expected to be a post player, so I had to adapt,” Daniels said. “At first, it was kind of tough, but I eventually got used to it. I can still run the fast break and do the things I used to do in high school, but it is a whole new world.”

Daniels started 17 of the 29 games the Scarlet Raiders played in last year as a freshman, averaging 4.3 points and 4.3 rebounds for the team that went to the New Jersey Athletic Conference championship game for the first time.

As she begins her sophomore season, Daniels is expected to be one of the leaders, because there has been a drastic turnover of the Scarlet Raiders’ roster.

“I think we’ve all stepped up to become leaders,” Daniels said. “Coming from freshman year to sophomore year, I feel like I’m way better than I was last year. The team has a lot of new talent. It should be an exciting year.”

Morris believes that the length of the college season got to Daniels a little last year.

“It’s always a difficult transition from high school to college,” Morris said. “Jasmine came on like gangbusters to start the year, then she sort of hit the wall. She was very good at times, but she was less consistent. We’re looking to have her do what she did all of the time.”

Daniels also had another problem as a freshman. She constantly got herself into foul trouble, which ended up putting her on the bench for extended periods of time.

“I don’t think it’s just Jasmine,” Morris said. “I think it’s a problem for the entire team. We need to have her on the court.”

“I’m more aware of that now,” Daniels said. “I’m trying to stay in the game as much as possible.”

But Morris knows that Daniels can be a big part of the Scarlet Raiders’ success, considering all she can do.

“She can be a major contributor,” Morris said. “She’s in better shape and better condition this year and that’s good. She should be able to give us more rebounding and more scoring. We need to find points somewhere and it could come from Jasmine. She could be a 12-point, eight-rebound player for us if she plays consistently.”

Morris likes what Daniels provides.

“She can make the 12-to-15 foot jumper and she can put the ball on the floor and go to the basket,” Morris said. “She’s been very understanding, understanding her skill set and what she can do. We need her to be a more consistent player and scorer for us. She knows what her strengths are and she has to utilize those strengths. She’s had some games for us where she was as good as what we had, but we need more games like that. We need her to be more consistent.”

Daniels is ready for that challenge.

“I feel like I’m going to have a better year,” Daniels said. “I think the team has a lot of talent.”
Daniels is majoring in criminal justice at R-N, with the hope of possibly becoming a detective down the road.

“Or maybe something in the law field,” Daniels said.

But for now, Daniels is happy to be part of the Scarlet Raiders.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Daniels said. “It’s a new experience, a new season. Everything I’ve done, it’s all been worth it.”