The Texas A&M's women's basketball team has announced that Jasmine Lumpkin (Bolingbrook, Ill./Michigan State) has joined the squad.
Lumpkin, a 6-0 guard/forward, started 14 times in 15 games for Michigan State this season, averaging 5.5 points and 4.2 rebounds, highlighted by a career-high 16 points against No. 9 Baylor on Dec. 20. She averaged 12.5 points in two games against AP Top 10 teams this season.
“Being able to get a mid-semester transfer when you are not expecting it speaks volumes to our program and the Texas A&M University reputation. Add getting the number one forward/guard out of Illinois in her class and a consistent starter off a Big 10 ball club speaks to great players wanting to play with other great players and a lot of right place, right time,” said Texas A&M head coach Gary Blair.
Out of high school, Lumpkin was a four star ESPN HoopGurlz prospect, and rated as the ninth-best guard in the 2014 recruiting class. She was tabbed the Joliet Herald-News Girls Basketball Player of the Year at Joliet Catholic Academy.
“Lumpkin is going a to bring a lot of athleticism and a lot of size,” said Dan Olson of ESPN.com & the Collegiate Girls Basketball Report. “She can put the ball in the hole, which separates her from a lot of other players in the country.”
“That's a good transfer in the middle of the year for Texas A&M,” said Olson. “She was one of the elite prep players from the state of Illinois last year, and one of the Top 55-60 players nationally in her class.”
As the top-rated guard in Illinois in 2014, she joins former club teammate from the Mac Irvin Lady Fire, Khaalia Hillsman, the top-rated center in Illinois in 2014, on the A&M squad. Lumpkin also played club basketball for the Bolingbrook Panthers.
As a senior in high school, she averaged 18 points, nine rebounds and three steals for Joliet Catholic, where she was a two-time all-state selection. She played in two Illinois 3A State Title games, winning a state title as a sophomore at Montini High School and a State Runner-Up finish as a senior at Joliet Catholic.
While at Michigan State, she set a career-high with 11 rebounds at Loyola (Ill.) on Dec. 14. She also scored nine points against No. 3 Notre Dame (Nov. 19) and 13 points against Miami (Ohio) (Nov. 30).
"Jasmine stated from the beginning that she loved Michigan State as a university, the coaching staff, and the program, but she also loves her family. An unfortunate medical situation caused her family to relocate to a warmer climate from the Chicago area. Lucky for us, Houston's rich medical environment landed her family 90 miles down the road,” added Blair.
“While we had not kept up with Jasmine since her AAU days, our national and SEC exposure gave her insight to our program and style of play. Playing AAU ball with freshman Chicago native Khaalia Hillsman, was an added comfort in picking us when she decided to be closer to home,” said Blair.
“As for Jasmine's basketball ability, I love the versatility she brings as a 6 footer that runs the floor. She is naturally instinctive, defends, and attacks the basket. Jasmine has a chance to learn our system and culture to make an impact this season in practice. By next season, she will be ready to produce on a veteran team,” said Blair.