Senior midfielder Sam Bassett has been leading the charge for the Denver soccer team on and off the field. Entering his fourth year this past August, Bassett boasts 1,184 minutes played and has tallied a team-leading seven goals and nine assists this season. 

Bassett has earned the distinction of ranking No. 1 on the Top Drawer Soccer mid-season player rankings. His dominance on the field has had him captivating the rankings for the entire duration of them being live.

This interview has been modified and shortened for clarity.

Niss: How has Coach Jamie [Frank]’s coaching style impacted you? 

Bassett: I’ve known him for I don’t even know how many years. He recruited my brother even before me, so it’s been a really long time. I’ve created such a good relationship with him that it’s just been really unique. He’s a guy that I just go to for everything whether it’s school problems, soccer problems, just mental, emotional. He’s been so good on and off the field. It’s been a great relationship and a great three and a half years.

Niss: Frank has a philosophy of recruiting and shaping good men, how have you noticed this translating into your own life? 

Bassett: He kind of tried to push it onto me even before I got here, just knowing my brother and stuff.  I think coming here is just about like you want to play pro soccer, a lot of us do, but eventually, we will be just regular people so I think shaping us into that form is a lot more important than just on the field. He’s done an incredible job doing that. 

Niss: What about with the new recruits/freshmen? 

Bassett: I think they come in here and it’s a lot of the older guy’s job to model that behavior. They’ve done a good job coming in and trying to follow that mindset. The standards have been set and I think they follow it pretty well. 

Niss: What specific areas of your game have you focused on improving this season? 

Bassett: This season it’s really been about getting my shot off as quick as I can, creating plays and adding more assets to my game defensive-wise and in the transition.

Niss: How have you approached this season differently than the previous? 

Bassett: I know that these are my last few months here at the university so really just trying to give it everything I got and just be present and be grateful for every single day.

Niss: What has been your favorite game of the season? 

Bassett: Probably Creighton. They had a huge fanbase, we knew they were holding this Oktoberfest thing, and we went out there and imposed our style and showed the country who we really were.

Niss: How was the [Oct. 16] game against Omaha affected by the previous two [losses]? 

Bassett: I think they were some hard losses, especially Kansas City, and we all just took some time to reflect on what was missing. We were going outside of who we really were and playing as other people and I think that ultimately led to us being ourselves at home and we know we don’t lose here.

Niss: How has the Top-Drawer Soccer rankings motivated you on the field? 

Bassett: It was cool to be recognized like that, but I try not to look at it too much. I’ve just tried to stay grounded and know there’s still a lot more work to do.

Niss: With your older brother Cole (CO Rapids midfielder) not too far away, how does that affect/inspire you? 

Bassett: It’s a big motivation to try to play together for the first time. It’s been our goal since we were kids to play together professionally and ultimately, I want to get there but I know we still have some work here to do so I want to finish that and do something here we’ve never done as a program. 

Niss: What’s your pregame routine? 

Bassett: First, shower at home, put on a gameday fit: it makes me feel good. Then go to the training room, do prehab stuff, roll out, play a little two-touch with the guys, then just the rest of warm-up. 

Niss: Favorite pregame dinner?  

Bassett: I like to cook my own pasta and sausage with salad.

Niss: Favorite hobbies outside of soccer?  

Bassett: I’d say golf, and you could say fashion. I love shopping, looking at clothes.  

Niss: Where do you shop? 

Bassett: Zara, MNML, it’s an LA brand. I do a little bit of thrifting, like those pants I wore.

Niss: If you didn’t play soccer, what sport would you want to play? 

Bassett: I don’t know if I can say golf. Probably baseball. I used to play baseball and basketball.

Niss: Biggest superstition? 

Bassett: Always put on my left shoe before my right and always tie my left before my right.