Florida graduate student attacker Jordan Basso has never been a stranger to competing as an underdog. But now, as she enters her final season of collegiate eligibility, Basso has the chance to play for a team coming off a Final Four appearance.
The all-time leading scorer for Gettysburg College, a Division III school, has had a prestigious collegiate career thus far, but she’s had a more unconventional path to becoming a Florida Gator.
The New York state native received little attention coming out of high school, but she carved her path through her four years playing for Gettysburg.
“I wanted to be an impact player, and I wanted to play,” Basso said. “At Gettysburg, they really gave me so much confidence and the opportunities that I needed.”
Basso served as a mainstay of the Gettysburg lineup throughout her four years at the program.
The 22-year-old seasoned attacker scored at least 100 points in three consecutive seasons en route to three Centennial Conference Attacker of the Year awards and three IWLCA First Team All-American nods.
“What stood out to us… was how dominant she was, and we didn't care that it was Division I, Division II, Division III,” Florida head coach Amanda O’Leary said. “You don’t just put up those big numbers without something substantial behind it.”
Basso led Gettysburg to an appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship her junior year. Her squad eventually lost to Middlebury 17-9 in a bout where Basso had two goals and two assists.
Following the championship appearance, Basso decided to put her name into the transfer portal with the intention of spending her final season at a Division I program.
“When we got to later in her career, and she knew she had that extra year of eligibility, the ball was very much in her court,” Gettysburg head coach Charlotte Hibbard said.
Basso was interested in several programs, but received a pleasant surprise when she heard from Florida.
“I wanted to experience something completely different than anything I had,” she said. “Playing at a [school like Florida], it’s a lot more of the glitz and the glam, and it’s a big southern school.”
With help from her family and Hibbard, she made the decision in June to transfer to Florida and make the 17-hour drive to her new campus in Gainesville. Basso believed adjusting from a school with only 3,000 people to one of the largest public schools in the country would be a unique challenge.
Basso said she was struck by the differences in her new surroundings, especially the humid weather and the vast campus.
However, Basso’s adjustment period with Florida’s team has been seamless since then.
“She jumped in with both feet from day one,” O’Leary said. “It’s tough coming from a new place… but she’s found her place instantly.”
O’Leary also said that Basso’s coachability on the field, combined with her fun nature off of it, has been a great fit for the team.
Basso’s former teammates, including Gettysburg senior midfielder Lauren O’Connell, have complimented her ability to adapt within any given program, both on and off the pitch.
“Jordan is super goofy and funny, despite her looking pretty locked in on the field,” O’Connell said. “She’s a great friend to have around for many laughs.”
With UF’s regular season nearing its start Feb. 7, Basso has high expectations for herself and her new Florida squad.
“Florida came off a Final Four run last year, so there’s definitely some pressure that comes along with that,” Basso said. “But I want to contribute to a great season this year.”
Contact Max Bernstein at mbernstein@alligator.org. Follow him on X @maxbernstein23.
Max is in his fourth semester at The Alligator, and he is the Spring 2025 lacrosse reporter and a second-year journalism sports & media major. He is a big South Florida sports fan, and likes to go to concerts with his friends and family.
