Jazmin Brann looks like an athlete.

The Niles High School junior girls basketball player has long arms and is taller than some people think.

“(Last Friday against St. Joseph) the announcer said I was 5-9,” Brann said. “I think I’m 5-11.”

With her physical attributes Brann can be a matchup nightmare for opponents.

Brann can score inside and, defensively, it’s no easy path to the basket for opposing players when they’re guarded by Brann.

“When I’m guarding the ball it’s hard for opponents to pass the ball past my long arms,” Brann said.

Brann scored 19 points, which tied her season-high and grabbed nine rebounds in the Vikings’ 48-40 win over the Bears.

Brann scored eight of her team’s 10 points during the third quarter when Niles rallied to take a 33-30 lead. St. Joseph led 24-23 at halftime.

“I felt that I worked hard and my teammates helped me with their assists into the paint,” Brann said.

Niles girls basketball coach Phil D’Amico is pleased with the progress that Brann, who’s a three-year varsity starter, has made on the court.

“She’s really coming on this year,” said the Vikings coach. “She understands what we want out of her. She works hard everyday at practice and I’m really proud of the work that she’s put in and the progress she’s made. She’s gotten so much better with her patience and understanding the offensive sets.”

Brann is a big reason Niles owns a 6-2 record. She’s averaging 14 points and 13 rebounds a game.

“We need her to rebound,” D’Amico said. “She’s our horse down on the blocks. If we don’t have that, we struggle rebounding.

“She’s just so athletic. I think the volleyball practice helps, but she’s just a phenomenal athlete and a phenomenal kid to be around. She’s also very coachable.”

You can tell how talented Brann is when you look at her letter jacket. She has seven athletic medals attached to the jacket for her play in basketball, volleyball and track.

“Volleyball comes in handy,” Brann said. “It helps me with my vertical as well as blocking shots.”

Brann doesn’t hesitate when asked which sport is her favorite.

“I prefer basketball definitely,” she said. “I’ve played basketball longer so it comes more natural to me. Track comes in third for me. I just do it to stay active.”

Brann has been playing basketball since she was nine years old. She has participated in YMCA and AAU basketball.

There was no rest this past offseason for Brann, who worked on various parts of her game for hours, which has helped her make a bigger impact on the court this winter.

“I feel that putting work in during the summer has improved my play,” Brann said. “I was always in the gym shooting and working on my ball-handling.

“I feel that my ball-handling can get better. I also need to be more consistent with my shooting.”

Better keep the gym lights on this coming summer for Brann.