Hope Hassmann’s story begins not on the polished courts of her college arena but with a little girl with the ball in her hands and a dream.
Every bounce of the ball, every imagined cheer of a packed gym, and every thrill of playing college basketball were not just dreams for Hassmann. They were the fuel that drove her to turn those dreams into her reality. Now, as she takes the court as a standout player, her journey stands as a testament to her unwavering dedication and passion for the game of basketball.
“I grew up always playing basketball,” Hassmann said. “My brother played, too, so I grew up in a competitive household with a brother and all his buddies. So, I’ve always dreamed of becoming a division one basketball player.”
Hassmann’s story began in Maple Valley, Washington, where she had a ball in her hand from as young as she could remember.
With her dad Scott playing college basketball, basketball was in Hassmann’s blood. She took her talent and passion for the game to high school at Tahoma High School, where the state of Washington got to see just how good Hassmann was.
Hassmann burst onto the scene as a freshman. When she got the opportunity to play on Varsity, she took it to show she belonged on Varsity. Her freshman year, she averaged 19 points per game and was slowly becoming a key player for the Bears.
Three years later, Hassmann, the captain of the Bears, led them onto the court in the state tournament as a senior, with the goal of a state tournament at her grasp. The Bears fell short, but Hassmann put on a show. Through three games, Hassmann averaged 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists, including 25 points in their opening-round win over Gonzaga Prep.
The Bears went on to make school history and win third place, defeating Kamiakin 61-57. This wrapped up Hassmann’s illustrious career with a trophy that she and the group of girls she had grown up with wanted to leave their mark on their high school careers.
“My group of seniors has played together since the second grade. So, to achieve that dream of going to state, it was cool to sign off and leave our senior year by making history with such a special group,” Hassmann said.
After her high school career came to an end, Hassmann shifted her focus to achieving her lifelong dream of playing college basketball. She signed with California State Fullerton, and her dream was achieved.
In her freshman year in high school, Hassmann worked to prove she belonged on the floor, and throughout the season, she proved just that. As a true freshman, Hassmann started in 32 games for the Titans, where she averaged nine points, three assists, and an 89% free-throw shooter.
A year after signing with the Titans, Hassmann decided she wanted a change. She put herself in the transfer portal and, after a visit to the University of Idaho, decided she wanted to become a Vandal.
“(I left due to) a lot of different things, but ultimately, I just wanted to find a better home and a place that felt like home for me, And I just felt like Fullerton wasn’t that,” Hassmann said, “In the portal, it was important to me to find a connection with the coaching staff and the girls. And immediately, I found that with Idaho. Once I was on my visit here, it just felt like home.”
University of Idaho head coach Arthur Moreira knew as soon as Hassmann entered the portal that she had to be an Idaho Vandal.
“She gave me a lot of headaches. I remember last year we played her, and Amalie Langer was guarding her, and I remember yelling at Amalie to stop her, so when she was in the portal, she was a no-brainer. I told Carrie and Drew we needed to go get her,” Moreira said in an interview on Vandal Scoreboard.
Hassmann has enjoyed her first few months as a Vandal and is excited to step on the court in a black and gold jersey.
“It’s been a great three months,” Hassmann said. “the culture of the team is amazing. Everyone wants to be here and get better every day, and off the court, the girls are even better as people,” Hassmann said.
“It’s fun being in a small town in Moscow because it’s a great community. Everyone is so supportive. Being in a fun yet competitive environment is so nice, and everyone wants to win.”
Hassmann is a quick guard who is a lights-out shooter and an excellent passer, will help the Vandals as they look to replace their backcourt from last season.
Hassmann also brings a fire to compete and a leadership quality she learned from watching the triple-double queen Sabrina Ionescu at the University of Oregon, whom She models her game after.
“My family’s a huge Duck fan,” Hassman said. “I grew up watching Sabrina when she was at Oregon. She’s a good leader as a point guard, not just as a basketball player, but as a person. I just want to model that myself.”
Away from the basketball court, Hassmann enjoys exploring Moscow and being around her teammates and friends.
“Usually, every Saturday means some of my teammates and I find things to do here and there, whether that’s the farmers market, driving around to coffee shops, doing homework at a little coffee shop or something. Being in a small town, we find many fun things to do to relate to and engage with the community,” Hassmann said.
Before every game Hassmann plays, she has found a game-day routine that she follows to play her best.
“I wake up, eat breakfast, and then we usually have a shootaround, so I get that over with. Then we usually have a team pregame meal. Then I go home, and I always have to get in my pregame nap, whether it’s for 20 minutes”, Hassmann said.
“Then I get ready and head to the gym. Before the game, I always get shots with an assistant, just me and the coach, to get extra shots.”
Hassmann’s basketball journey, fueled by passion and unwavering determination to become a college basketball player, has blossomed into an incredible reality.
As she steps onto the court at ICCU Arena, she carries with her the spirit of that little girl from Maple Valley, Washington, who dreamed of this moment. Now, every dribble and every shot represent not just her achievement but shows the hard work and sacrifice that Hassmann endured to finally accomplish her dream.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected]