Courtesy of Victoria Pascal

In September of 2023, twelve-year-old Asher Pascal signed as the youngest Yale Men’s Basketball team member. 

This Wednesday, Asher and his father, Jason Pascal, flew to Denver to spend time with the team and watch Thursday’s game against No. 4 seeded Texas A&M from the sidelines. Although Yale will head into the game as clear underdogs, Asher is optimistic about the Bulldogs’ chances.  

“If we play like we played versus Cornell in Ithaca this season, we can beat anyone,” Asher wrote to the News.

Asher’s passion for Yale runs deep. His parents, Jason and Victoria, and his sister Olivia shared in a written statement to the News that Asher has been following the team for a few years. However, being welcomed into the Yale basketball family “deepened his love for the game, gave him a sense of belonging, and created lifelong memories far beyond the court.”

Since signing last season, Asher has been a constant presence within the team. According to Assistant Coach Brandon Sherrod, Asher can be seen at practices, chatting with the players during pregame meals and participating in locker room talks. 

When Asher first signed with the team and had the opportunity to visit the media room with coaches, Sherrod recalls being immediately struck by his “smile, joy and contagious energy.”

Asher’s family added that the players and coaches embraced Asher as one of their own from day one and that the energy of game days and his bond with the team have been life-changing. That connection has only strengthened as Asher has spent more time with the players and coaches. 

On game days — both home and away — Asher cheers from the bench and gives the players high-fives as they step onto the court. 

According to Head Coach James Jones, Asher was a huge presence after Yale’s upset victory against Auburn in last year’s NCAA Tournament, even leading a goodbye cheer with the team, singing a song from the movie “Remember the Titans.”

Director of Yale Athletics Victoria Chun, also shared fond memories of Asher’s reaction to the team’s win against Auburn. She’ll “always remember” the look on his face when the team beat the likely favorites in the first round, she told the News. 

“He was smiling ear to ear and jumping up and down. He was with us all the way,” she said. 

While the team has had a tremendous influence on Asher, Sherrod believes that the relationships between Asher and the players are two-way.

“I don’t think any of us knew how important the relationship would be for both the team and Asher, but it was something that was really special in the moment,” said Sharrod.

Now a second-year member of the team, Asher was on the sidelines when the team qualified for the NCAA tournament two years in a row for the first time in program history. 

However, his favorite memory was last year’s championship win, when he got to cut the net after winning the tournament. 

He dubbed much of the team’s success to his favorite team quote: “You can’t cheat the grind,” which serves as a motto not only for the players but for Asher as well, who his family described as “resilient, passionate, and inspiring.” 

“Watching his confidence grow and how much the team values him has been incredible,” his family shared. 

Asher himself told the News that he learns “so much about the game and about working hard” when he’s around the players and coaches. 

Now in Denver, Asher is excited to see an NBA locker room inside Denver’s Ball Arena and “sending the Aggies packing.” 

Asher attends Bedford Middle School in Westport, CT.