Nevaeh Asiasi delivered a record-breaking athletic season in Cal State LA women’s basketball history, leading the Golden Eagles to a CCAA Championship, a program record 24 wins, an appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament, while receiving CCAA Player of the Year and WBCA All-American honors. Her historic season didn’t come as a surprise to many; it was built on years of self-doubt, discipline, and a work ethic that harkens to Kobe Bryant and the “Mamba Mentality.”
Asiasi comes from a family deep into athletics. Her brother Devin played football at Michigan and UCLA before reaching the NFL. Her mother was a multi-sport athlete, playing basketball, volleyball, track, and softball, while her father, Dave, played football in college. Her younger sister Nyana played basketball for San Francisco State, while her two brothers both play football, one for Nevada and Dariyon in high school. Asiasi, making her choice where to play collegiate basketball, came down to three Division II schools: San Francisco State, The Dominican University of California, and finally Cal State LA.
Her first real challenge came at Salesian College Prep, where her first moment of doubt set in. Despite making varsity, playing time wasn’t given. “It was my sophomore year, I didn’t play my Freshman year, but I was on varsity, and I was on a team with a McDonald’s All-American who was a D1 player and another D1 who committed to Hawaii so the team was stacked,” Asiasi said.
Expecting a bigger role with the seniors graduating, she still found herself waiting. “It was the first time I had to really put in that hard work, I had to sit, and have a conversation with myself,” Asiasi said. She also told herself, “You need to make it so there’s no doubt that you didn’t do everything to get on that floor.”
Asiasi had to put in a lot of hard work, despite the COVID pandemic in her junior year. By senior year in 2022, her hard work paid off, and she helped lead Salesian College Prep to a CIF Division 1 State Championship as a team captain and key contributor.
Despite ending high school on a high note, Asiasi received no Division I offers. She had to make a decision to open her options or not go to college, ultimately deciding to stay close to home in San Francisco, but Cal State LA stood out and remained an option. Cal State LA head Coach Torino Johnson described her as steadfast and selfless on and off the court. “Not only do we have a great player, we have a great person,” Johnson said. “She always does the right thing.”
“The mentality matched with my mentality of wanting to win and wanting to make history, so that really sold me,” Asiasi said. However, her journey at Cal State LA brought new challenges.
“I actually started and played, but then my sophomore year, I had an injury, and I was coming off the bench, and it was weird. We had transfers coming in, so my minutes were weird, but again there were moments I was doubting my game.”
It was those experiences that fueled her drive. The summer heading into her junior year, she trained two to three times a day with the determination to improve. By her senior season, the Golden Eagles landed Ariyah Smith, a transfer Guard from Cal State East Bay, who helped the team’s offense by taking the pressure off Nevaeh as the main facilitator.
Earlier in her career, Asiasi played mostly at point guard, running the offense under consistent pressure. She knew how to distribute the ball and was open to scoring, but the role demanded a heavy load. With Smith taking over as point guard, Asiasi was able to play more freely. The switch in position unlocked a new version of her game. She led the Golden Eagles to a conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. The team finished with a program-record 24 wins and 18 conference victories, including a 15-game win streak – the longest this program has seen, doubling the previous record of eight. In the team’s biggest moment, Asiasi stepped up, whether she was scoring the ball, controlling the tempo, or leading her team through adversity.
Teammates described her as a present, grounded leader. “Someone who leads through energy, care, and humility,” said teammate Gabriella Rones. “She was always in the gym trying to be better than the day before.”
Longtime teammate Sofia Fidelus highlighted Asiasi’s personality and growth. “Her energy and smile lifted everyone,” Fidelus said. “She’s more confident and sure of herself than ever, and it shows on the court.” Despite the individual success, Asiasi’s care for her team remains.
“I don’t really play for accolades,” Asiasi said. “But it’s always nice to be recognized. I wouldn’t have gotten any of this without my teammates.” Her leadership, she explained, comes from perspective and perseverance. “You can’t rely on others to tell you you’re great, you have to believe it yourself,
Asiasi’s season didn’t just leave a mark on the program – it opened doors for her future. Her performance at an invite-only pro camp in Phoenix, Arizona, drew attention from scouts, agents, and general managers. She finished among the top performers in the event and left a valuable imprint on the WPBA-Combine. “It showed me I can compete at that level,” Asiasi said. “The WNBA is a possibility.”
Still, she remains grounded and grateful for the opportunities. “Play hard, have fun,” Asiasi said. “Whatever happens, happens.” For Asiasi, the work that built her legacy at Cal State LA is already carved in stone.
