We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tristan Jass. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tristan below.

Tristan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was deciding between going to college or pursuing content creation full-time. It was a tough call because, like most people, I grew up hearing that college was the path to success. My whole family wanted me to go to school—and I understood why. My parents couldn’t afford to pay for college, so there was this feeling that if I got the opportunity to go, I almost had to take it. It felt like the “right” thing to do.

At the time, I was living in my mom’s apartment. I slept on the couch, and the dining room doubled as my bedroom. We didn’t have much, and I knew that going to college could change things. But there was this other part of me that believed in what I was building online. I had been posting basketball videos, and the response was crazy. People were loving my content, and deep down, I felt like I could turn this passion into something real.

I remember sitting there, wrestling with the decision. It wasn’t easy. I had a scholarship offer, and I knew that walking away meant giving up a safety net. I called the coach and the assistant coach to let them know I wasn’t coming. That was the hardest call I’ve ever made. But I also knew that if I didn’t take the chance on myself right then, I might never get that opportunity again. I’m a very loyal person, so having to decommit sparked a fire in me, driving me to push even harder.

Looking back, I’m so grateful I trusted my gut. (I bet on myself) It wasn’t an overnight success story by any means. There were long nights editing videos, days when things didn’t go how I planned, and moments where I questioned if I made the right choice. But I stayed consistent. Now, I get to travel the world, work with brands I used to dream about, and inspire millions of people to chase their own dreams. Taking that risk changed my life completely, and I wouldn’t trade that decision for anything.

I often find myself telling my young fans and others that, even though I didn’t make it to the NBA, I’m now traveling the world with them and working as a content creator, which is an incredible experience.

Tristan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve always had a creative mind and thought outside the box. My journey as a young kid started with gymnastics, football, baseball, and basketball. In my older years, I took the game of basketball seriously and worked hard to earn a college scholarship. During that time, I was doing everything I could to stand out. That’s when I started posting videos of “crazy” layups online. It wasn’t something a lot of people were doing, and the reactions really surprised me. People loved the creativity, and I realized there was something special there.

That focus on creative layups eventually evolved into trick shots. I wanted to push the limits of what was possible and entertain people at the same time. What started as a passion turned into a career, and now I get to do what I love with my friends while sharing it with millions of people around the world.

What sets me apart is that I’m not just making basketball videos—I’m telling stories and inspiring people to chase their dreams. Whether it’s collaborating with major brands, creating unique content, or connecting with fans, I put my heart into everything I do. I want people to see that if you stay consistent, work hard, and believe in yourself, you can achieve anything.

We’ve made it a priority to diversify where we post, mainly on Youtube and Instagram, but we also ensure we’re consistently sharing content across all social platforms. I’m most proud of the community we’ve built. It’s amazing to hear from fans who say my videos motivated them to pick up a basketball or pursue their own dreams. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about—using my platform to make a positive impact and show people that anything is possible.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

A story that illustrates my resilience the most would have to be when I had a seizure in 2019. It was a scary and eye-opening experience, and it happened because I was overworking myself, not eating / hydrating properly, and not getting enough sleep. At the time, I was pushing so hard to grow my brand and create content that I completely neglected my health. During that whole process, I actually found out that I have a benign cyst on my brain too. At first, it was definitely scary–just hearing something like that kinda stops you in your tracks. But over time, I’ve learned to accept it, adapt, and just keep moving forward. It’s just one of those things I have to stay on top of, but I don’t let it slow me down.

That moment was a huge wake-up call. It forced me to realize that no matter how passionate I am about my work, I can’t pour from an empty cup. I had to learn how to balance my health while still staying focused on my goals. Since then, I’ve made it a priority to take care of myself, getting enough rest, managing stress, and maintaining a healthy routine.

Despite the setback, I didn’t let it stop me. I came back stronger, more focused, and with a better understanding of how to sustain long-term success. That experience taught me that resilience isn’t just about pushing through challenges—it’s also about knowing when to step back, recharge, and come back even better. It was a tough lesson, but one that has made me stronger both personally and professionally.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots in my life came when I got mono right before my last summer of AAU basketball. I had been in the best shape of my life, mentally and physically, and was ready to compete with some of the top teams in the country. This was my big shot—July was the “live” period where college coaches could come watch players like me, and I had the chance to pick up some big offers.

But then, out of nowhere, I got sick. My spleen was enlarged, and the doctor told me I couldn’t play. I had to sit out during what could’ve been the most important time of my basketball career. Losing that opportunity completely changed the trajectory of where I thought I was headed. If I hadn’t gotten sick, there was a real chance I could’ve earned even more scholarship offers and possibly ended up playing college ball.

That moment made me realize how quickly things can change, and I had to pivot. Instead of letting that setback define me, I turned my focus elsewhere and started looking at other ways to make an impact. The experience shaped who I am today, showing me how important it is to stay adaptable and make the most of every opportunity—even when life throws curveballs.

If I hadn’t bet on myself, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tristanj22/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tristanjass22/
• Twitter: https://x.com/TristanJass?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TristanJass

Image Credits

Logan Rauen