Badgering ... Jasmine Hale

MADISON, Wis. – Badger fans have enjoyed watching the speed of freshman Jasmine Hale on the court this season. The 5-foot-9 guard from Cincinnati came to Wisconsin as the No. 28 nationally ranked guard by ESPN HoopGurlz. She was also ranked 128^th by Blue Star Report.

Hale missed the first four games of the season with a finger injury but has returned to play in 12 games, including her first start vs. Marshall on Dec. 4. She is averaging 12.3 minutes per game, contributing 3.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 0.8 steals per game. Hale scored a career-high eight points vs. Arkansas on Nov. 25, hitting 4-10 from field goal range. She also pulled down a career-best four rebounds vs. Chicago State while adding her first career block vs. the Cougars.

What has been your biggest adjustment from high school to college?
"My biggest adjustment from high school to college has been learning how to manage my time and organizing my daily schedules. It seemed like everything just kind of happened whenever it did in high school, but in college, it's definitely a huge turn around where you need to stay on top of everything in a more disciplined manner."

How has being a part of such a large freshman class helped you in your transition?
"Being a part of such a large freshman class is what I like to compare to a breath of fresh air during my transition. We all help each other out and are always there for one another. We can make mistakes together and help one another learn from them. I couldn't ask for a better group of girls to grow with throughout these years!"

What is your favorite thing to do in Madison?
"My favorite thing to do in Madison is to work in the Kohl Center. Getting better and working on my game is so fulfilling and I honestly wouldn't want to be anywhere else when I am there.

"While in the summer, it is nicer outdoors and there is a lot more free time. During the summer, I like to get together with teammates and friends and walk State Street to get food or go to the Terrace and enjoy the view. There are sometimes performers on stage or they host movie nights, which are super fun to enjoy in the beautiful weather."

How has your adjustment academically been?
"Academically, my adjustment has been just fine. There are so many helpful sources and people who are willing to guide and assist me in pursuing my academic success."

What has been most helpful to you?
"Being assisted by my lovely learning specialist, Julie Supernaw, has been extremely helpful when it comes to being more organized with my assignments, notes, and readings, which enhances my ability to learn more effectively in ways that work just for me!"

How have the upperclassmen helped you in your first year?
"The upperclassmen have loaded an abundance of help into my first year. They are always making sure I'm doing the right thing and keeping the right mindset throughout this year. They are all so approachable and give exceptional advice, which helps me be the best student-athlete and person I can possibly be! They have also given me some extra tips on how to be more organized while transitioning into this more intensified life as a student-athlete, and how to approach certain situations both on and off the court."

What is your favorite thing to do with your teammates off the court?
"Any type of team bonding with the team off the court is full of fun. I think we're all just really fun people and can laugh at just about anything at any given time. Dinner at Coach Tsip's house is a great example of team bonding. While at coach's house, we sometimes break into teams and participate in strategic games like who can stack cups the fastest, who can ice their cake the best blindfolded, or who can pull all of the tissues out of a tissue box individually first. This becomes extremely fun because we are such a competitive group of girls!

You missed the first four games of the season due to a finger injury. What was it like to finally get on the court especially at the Kohl Center?
"Finally getting on the court was like a dream come true! I had been working so hard to finally show what I can contribute to this team in a game setting, and undergoing such a small injury such as a broken pinky was kind of a small setback for me. But I think I handled it pretty well! My strength coach, Abby Bush, kept me in great shape while I was out. My athletic trainer, Deb Yenser, has been doing a fantastic job with helping me rehab and recover from the injury. The whole staff and team overall have just been so encouraging and uplifting both during the injury, and even now that I am back playing again! The Kohl Center is something else - a very breathtaking atmosphere. A place where I am able to do what I love, in my new home, surrounded with outstanding support!

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