The number 13 is accompanied with great power and hard workers but it’s also worn on the uniform of freshman student athlete, shooting guard Jazmin Boyd of the Grambling Lady Tigers women’s basketball team, under the direction of head coach Nadine Domond.
“I chose that number in high school and here at Grambling because I believe the number 13 has luck in it,” said Boyd, and although the number is associated with luck, it takes raw talent to perform the way Jazmin does.
GLENN LEWIS/The Yearbook
Jazmin Boyd dribbles her way down the court of the Fredrick C. Hobdy Arena Center against an Alabama State defender.
What makes this young lady great with power? Before one takes into her most recent accomplishments (being chosen as Southwestern Athletic Conference Women’s Player of the Week for her performance in a Jan. 4 matchup between the Lady Tigers and Alabama State University and then again being selected as SWAC Women’s Co-Player of the Week, the following week for her work on the court on Jan. 12 against Alcorn State University), her personal stats as an athlete speaks volumes.
Boyd put up 34 points, was 10 for 14 in the field, five for six in the three-point range and nine for 11 at the free throw line last week in Lorman, Miss., as the Lady Tigers defeated the Lady Braves 85-76 and contributed 27 points in the 89-69 win over the defending SWAC champions Alabama State. Although she’s only a freshman on the team, Boyd was creating a name for herself back at her high school, Hattiesburg High School, averaging 14.7 points per game, 2.1 assists, and 3.9 rebounds. Her last three years of high school she scored a total of 1,223 points, had 109 offensive rebounds, 212 defensive rebounds, 171 assists and 140 steals, playing in 83 games.
In a post-game interview following the game against Alabama State, the Hattiesburg, Miss., native felt it was more than important that the team beat the Hornets, for more reasons that one. “I felt disrespected when they came into our house, yelling and screaming. We had to win,” she said.
The first in her family to receive an athletic scholarship, Boyd greatly aspires to succeed. “I’m very pleased with Boyd and how she is coming along,” said Coach Domond. “She has all the right ingredients to be very special. She plays an integral part of the Grambling State Lady Tigers,” added Domond. At such a young age, Boyd already solidifies humility. “My coaches would always tell me that I can be special and I never really heard them while they were telling me,” she said.
Her favorite athlete? “Carmelo Anthony, because I respect the way he plays. I’ve been a fan of him ever since he played for the Nuggets,” said the sports management major who would like to either coach basketball or play overseas.
As a shooting guard, much preparation goes into Boyd’s abilities to deliver on the court. She spends 14 hours a week, practicing with her team, including weights and calisthenics. While other athletes may see their opponent’s most dominant player at their toughest challenge, the 19-year-old keeps her psyching on an interpersonal level, saying “I’m my toughest competition.”