Newcomer Notebook: Yasmeen Chang

YASMEEN CHANG
5'9 | Guard | Naples, Fla. | University of Miami | RS-Sophomore

On the Team’s Family Atmosphere

CHANG: “The first time I met my teammates they were like helping me unpack and they were awesome. Even on the court, they are just cheering me on saying ‘Come on Yas, you got it’. I’m not really used to all that encouragement so it’s really taught me how to be more energetic on the court."

On Her Key Takeaways from COVID-19

CHANG: “I think a positive I take in from this was spending time with my family. You know we were gone for five months, so that time I really got to take the time to evaluate myself and following God more. I was also able to spend time with some people that were away for a while and getting to know them again.

Also I was able to work on my game too. My jumper got a lot better and I put in a lot of work with my brother. Our relationship also grew too.”

On What She Is Looking Forward to Most This Season

CHANG: "To be my teammates' motivation and helping them out. Making sure I’m always positive, if someone is down I want to bring them up. Just being there for my teammates while they’re playing, when I’m on the bench cheering them on and encouraging them.

Also, to get better. You know I have this whole year to bring my game up and be ready for next year when the time comes.”

On Her Tiger Tattoo

CHANG: “That’s just like my spirit animal. Off the court, I’m not as energetic as I am on the court. I feel like the tiger represents me as a basketball player, beast mode. I love tigers. I think they’re vicious and a beast when it’s time to be a beast.” 

On the Sports She Played Growing Up 

CHANG: “I played soccer when I was little, more towards elementary school. I was actually pretty good but as soon as I met my AAU coach. He saw me and said I was fast and speedy. He asked me if I wanted to try out for basketball, and that was it from there.”

Images courtesy of Miami Athletics

On Who Inspired Her to Play Basketball

CHANG: “My brother inspired me to play basketball. I saw him dribbling in the garage and I was at that age where I did everything he did so I just copied him. That’s when I really started to love the game.”

On What She Remembers Most About Her Official Visit

CHANG: “I remember going to Chipotle first and having lunch with Cam. He was talking to me about how I played and my jump shot. Then we toured the football stadium and it was huge. I’m talking like I’ve never seen a football stadium that big. We toured the basketball arena too. That was one of my favorite official visits. We had a photoshoot and I met some players. I just had a great time. I knew Florida was always the place for me just because of like the family vibes. The vibes that they bring are amazing. I just feel like I’m part of a whole huge family.”

On Scoring her 2,000th Point in High School 

Favorite Food 
“My family is Jamaican, my mom and dad, so I grew up eating a lot of Jamaican food. I love all types of Jamaican food. I think it’s the best food in the world, I’m biased because that’s what I grew up eating but I love it. My favorite, that’s pretty hard, but it’s curried goat. It’s amazing. It sounds disgusting but if you try, I think you would like it.”

On Her Favorite Thing to Do Outside of Basketball
“I like spending time with my grandmother. She always gives me words of wisdom. Whenever I’m not busy I like talking to her. We will have three-hour conversations just about life.”

On Her Favorite Pair of Jordans
“The I’s and XI’s, but right now I’m really liking the I’s a lot. The low tops and the high tops.”

On What Age She Started Playing Basketball 
“Fifth grade, so 11.”

On Growing up in Naples
“I got sick of the beach. I used to go all the time. That used to be the thing to do. It’s a beautiful town and has beautiful palm trees and communities but it’s not like the town for people my age. I had awesome teammates and we always found stuff to do. We used to go to the beach like every weekend and find fun activities to do to keep us occupied.”