Here’s a WCC twist: Jazmine Foreman will coach against former teammates

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If it wasn’t already strange enough to be coaching women’s college basketball just one year removed from her playing career at BYU, former Cougar point guard Jazmine Foreman will have another bizarre but rewarding experience come this January.

Foreman, who was recently hired as an assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of Portland, will be coaching against her former teammates and new WCC foes when the Cougars play the Pilots twice in the span of three weeks during the first month of conference play.

Foreman is from the Portland area and said that returning near her hometown combined with her new coaching gig has made for a dream-job experience.

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BYU guard Jazmine Foreman dribbles the ball against San Diego State last season. Foreman is now an assistant coach for the University of Portland, and will be facing her alma mater this season.

“I haven’t gotten to really stop or breathe yet, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Foreman said.

Foreman’s playing career at BYU was extensive; she finished third all-time in career games played and sixth in assists. Eight current players on BYU’s roster played with Foreman during her time as a Cougar.

“It’s … weird because one of the returners is actually older than I am. Now I’m going to be coaching against her,” Foreman said about senior guard Haley Hall. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. I’m really proud of them and know they’re going to be successful.”

Foreman landed at Portland through her acquaintance with head coach Jim Sollars, whom she has known since high school. Sollars has been named WCC coach of the year five times and is the winningest coach in the conference’s history.

After setting a school high for wins last season, the Pilots– much like the Cougars themselves– will rely on several young players to repeat their success. All but three of Portland’s starters this season are freshmen or sophomores.

“We’re very young, extremely young,” Foreman said. “It’s gonna be a growing season for us. [But] I think we’re going to go out there and surprise a few people. We have some great athletes.”

Although only being on staff for a few months, Foreman has already made an impression on the athletic department at her new school.

“The coaching staff is very excited about [Foreman’s] professionalism first and foremost,” said University of Portland Athletic Director Larry Williams. “She has a reputation for being very organized and a hard worker. That hard work will really orient the [team] in the right direction.”

Williams also said he was optimistic about the impact he anticipates BYU will have on the conference.

“To a person, in our offices we’re excited about the increased level of competition across all our sports,” he said. “To have BYU involved is nothing but exciting for our program.”

After the Cougars kickoff the new year by visiting the Pilots on Jan. 2, Foreman will get her chance to return to Provo when BYU hosts Portland on Jan. 21.

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