Q: How long have you been playing your sports?
A: I started track and sophomore year, so that’s been for about two years, and golf I’ve been playing since fifth grade, so around six to seven years.
Q: Did you ever play any other sports growing up?
A: I played baseball in first grade, but I really didn’t like that sport too much.
Q: What is it about golf that drew your attention?
A: I started playing with my dad, so it gave us time to connect, then I started going out on the weekends with my friends and I also liked driving the golf carts. I found that fun.
Q: How much training do you do per day or week on a yearly basis?
A: During golf season, we are out there every single day of the week, sometimes we have Fridays off, then I usually go out on the weekends. In the offseason, I go about three times a week and sometimes on the weekends.
Q: How does your training differ when you are in the season compared to the offseason?
A: Offseason is just not as much, but that’s just because during the season we have so much going on, with the matches and training.
Q: Do you have downtime away from sports?
A: Yeah, usually as soon as the golf season gets out I take a little bit of a break, but I start getting back into it around December.
Q: Is it important to have that downtime?
A: A little bit, to get my own flow after the season so I can focus on what I wasn’t able to focus on during golf season, then get back into that routine.
Q: Rating the sports you play versus academics, which is more important in your life?
A: I would say academics because without good academics I can’t play golf, and then I can’t get an athletic scholarship or anything like that.
Q: Are sports and academics close in ranking in life importance?
A: Yeah, because I also know they are going to be looking at my scores in golf along with my academics, but I’d say academics are more important.
Q: Besides sports, are there any ways you are uniquely gifted?
A: I wouldn’t say so, I like to go fishing, and I’m pretty good at it, then I also like to go to the gym, but that’s about it.
Q: What skills do sports teach you that you apply to life?
A: Definitely, discipline and motivation, because I think about going to college for golf, which makes me work harder and stay motivated in my academics.
Q: What goals do you have for your senior year, academically and/or athletically?
A: Academically, I want to get As and Bs and stay motivated my entire senior season. For golf, I want to get recognized by recruiters.
Q: What has been your best high school sports moment?
A: My junior season, when I shot a 49 on nine holes and I was really excited about that because I also got first in the match.
Q: Any coaches, teachers, or family members who have helped you reach this point?
A: My coach, who is also my dad, Josh Bassett, he has always been there and helpful.
Q: What advice would you give to the next generation of Conchs?
A: Be committed and focused to what ever sport you play.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve received?
A: For my dad, to just stay motivated and focus on your academics as well as your sports, which comes second.
Q: Having invested so much time — physically, mentally, and emotionally — in your sports, how can you have proper closure during your senior year?
A: I think just giving it my all, I’ll be satisfied knowing I’ve done all I can to do what I wanted to accomplish, I’ll be happy then.
Q: Anywhere in the world you want to visit?
A: I’d love to go see the nature of Alaska and also go play golf up there, because they have some really nice courses.
Q: Do you have any hobbies outside of sports?
A: Mainly fishing, and going to the gym, I’m pretty committed to working, I like doing any work I can get, either labor or with my job.
Q: What are some challenges you’ve faced as a student-athlete?
A: It’s definitely hard balancing academics with practice, because it takes up so much of your time.
Q: If you could add one hour to your day, what would you do with it?
A: I’d say I’m probably golfing more.
Q: What are your plans for after high school?
A: I plan to go to college, I don’t know what major I’m going to look into yet, but likely something with cybersecurity.
Q: If you have an opportunity to play golf in college, no matter the size or location of the school, will you take it?
A: Definitely, I think so.
Q: Is there any skill you feel you need to improve on to make it at the collegiate level?
A: Just improve my score a little but, but if I put a little more time into golf next season I could definitely improve my score, with my academics, I should be able to get into a nice college.
Q: What would you tell your college roommate about the Keys?
A: It has its ups and downs, but it’s mainly a really nice place.
Q: On your first trip back home, what will be the meal you ask for?
A: Probably a nice mahi sandwich.
Q: You talked about going into cybersecurity. Do you have any career aspirations in that field?
A: No, I haven’t put too much thought into that, I just know it’s something I’m interested in because my dad does it, and he’s been talking me about it. I know it’s a very up-and-coming career choice and there are a lot of new technologies coming out of it, which seems like a good career choice.
Most Popular
Comments / 0