ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.
(KRQE) – Former Volcano Vista and UNM women’s basketball player Jaelyn Bates has been away from the game for nearly a year. She parted with the Lobos following the 2023-2024 season to focus on her mental health and then missed the 2024-2025 season at Jacksonville due to a hip injury. Now, she’s taking her talents to New Mexico Highlands.
Bates said that she has always been a perfectionist and took the game too seriously. As time went on, basketball felt like more of a job than something that she loved.
During her time off, Bates started to coaching and playing in a women’s league. She started to regain her passion for the sport and decided she wanted to give college another try.
“I think that was another reason I wanted to come back is because I do want to travel the world and I want to play overseas and might as well do something that I’m good at,” Bates said. “I want to do what I can these next two years to help me get to the next level outside of college.”
Bates is now committed to play for the Cowgirls because of the connections she has in the program. She is already familiar with coaches and players dating back to her time playing AAU.
Recently, Bates underwent surgery to resolve her hip injury. She said she expects to be back to full strength once she has a few games under her belt.
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