For Jared Velasquez, basketball has always been more than a game—it’s been part of his identity since childhood. Now a senior guard for the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Varsity Boys basketball team, Velasquez is embracing his final season with purpose, perspective, and leadership.
Velasquez, 17, was born and raised in the Philippines, where basketball is woven into everyday life. “It was one of the two main sports played in my country,” he said. “There was a basketball court every couple of miles.” Inspired by his older brother, he picked up the game at age seven and never looked back.
His varsity ambitions became clear early on. As a freshman, Velasquez noticed just how intense and chaotic varsity-level basketball was compared to middle school and freshman teams. That challenge pushed him to elevate his game and commit to the grind.
Wearing jersey No. 4—chosen in honor of a middle school friend—Velasquez takes pride in representing his school. “It means a lot. It’s the school I go to, so I have to represent,” he said.
Entering his final season, Velasquez is optimistic about the team’s potential. “We have a solid squad,” he said. “We just need to find our chemistry and work on a lot of things.” To prepare, he spent the summer lifting weights daily, focusing on strength and durability.
With this being his last year, motivation comes naturally. The biggest lesson basketball has taught him, he said, is learning how to handle losing—using setbacks as fuel for growth rather than excuses.
On the court, Velasquez describes his playing style as unselfish and fearless, with a natural ability to attack the basket. Driving to the rim is the strongest part of his game, and his brother remains the biggest influence on how he plays. He models parts of his game after Kyrie Irving, names Michael Jordan as the greatest of all time, and lists the Kentucky Wildcats as his favorite college basketball team.
Off the court, Velasquez stays just as active. He enjoys running, going to the gym, and focusing on schoolwork and studying. “It might seem exhausting,” he said, “but I find it relieving.” Math is his favorite subject, and tacos are his go-to meal.
Coaching advice has shaped his mindset throughout the years. Messages like “never be afraid” and reminders that “we are our own worst enemy” continue to guide him, especially in high-pressure moments. One of the toughest practices he’s endured came during his sophomore year, when the team was required to run for eight minutes with a 25-pound medicine ball held overhead—an experience he’ll never forget.
Rivalry games against Los Fresnos carry extra intensity, fueled by a long-standing competitive history between the schools. One of Velasquez’s most memorable moments came much earlier, when he hit a game-winning shot in the final game of his eighth-grade season.
On game days, Velasquez takes an unconventional approach to getting locked in, listening to “No Surprises” by Radiohead. And if given the chance to challenge a celebrity to a one-on-one? “Kevin Hart,” he said confidently. “The size difference.”
As his high school basketball career comes full circle, Jared Velasquez enters his final season focused, fearless, and determined to leave everything on the court for Veterans Memorial.