The Kashmere baseball team ended the 2025 spring season without a win, going 0-11.
While a winless record might seem discouraging, senior captain Jamall Burnett believes the season revealed strengths and personal growth.
“This season was less about stats and more about growth,” said Burnett. “We only had three returning players from the 2024 team, so most of the team was new to baseball. As team captain, I tried to inspire them by leading by example.”
Everyday, Burnett reminded his teammates of the challenges he faced as a sophomore. He encouraged them to keep moving forward, emphasizing his inclusive and structured leadership style—one that prioritized team involvement, shared decision-making and confidence in each person’s individual role.
“I was in their shoes sophomore year,” said Burnett. “I didn’t have much baseball experience, either, but my dedication to improving helped me become one of the best hitters on the team, win second team all district and be awarded newcomer of the year. Our scores looked rough, but everyone consistently got better as the team progressed.”
Baseball was Burnett’s opportunity to break out of his shell, meet new people and display the leadership abilities he had hidden inside.
“I didn’t have the gift of direct mentorship from my father after he passed, but I found ways to teach myself, take opportunities and create my own lane,” said Burnett. “Baseball, leadership and entrepreneurship all played a key part.”
Burnett’s father passed away when he was just two months old. Growing up in a single-parent home in the inner city, Burnett found himself being a follower of the crowd rather than leading those who, like him, were searching for greatness.
“There wasn’t a male figure who stepped into the mentor role, I had to dig deep and find that myself,” said Burnett. “Only having my mother and my two older brothers, I sought male mentorship in sports and programs I joined in high school.”
Burnett became involved in Miles Ahead Scholars, an honors program for young Black men at Worthing, Kashmere and Wheatley High Schools. He also joined Emerge Scholars, a college matriculation program.
He served as a senior leader for Miles Ahead and as an Ambassador for Emerge.
“I always knew I was smart in school,” said Burnett. “However, my friends and I didn’t all see the importance of school in the same way. Prior to my sophomore year, I didn’t realize this; I just followed the group. However, once I became a sophomore, I began to see things differently and step out of my comfort zone.”
Burnett began to be exposed to different settings, meet diverse people and try new things. He participated in other sports, including basketball, cross country and track, but baseball became his main sport.
“Baseball allowed me to step out of my comfort zone because it presented a new challenge and there weren’t many who were willing to play at my school,” said Burnett. “I was more than willing to take on the new challenge and that year I won rookie of the year with a .333 batting average.”
Kashmere head baseball coach, James Laster, recognizes Burnett’s leadership. Burnett finished his season with 12 RBIs, 21 stolen bases and a batting average of .333 while maintaining a .557 on-base percentage.
“Jamal is a great kid,” said Laster. “His leadership was really needed this season, as we had a lot of kids who were new to the game and just wanted to try something different.”
Burnett holds a 3.85 weighted GPA and ranks #6 out of 147 students in his senior class. His drive to lead, learn and persevere opened doors he never imagined—including being awarded the prestigious Darren Walker Scholarship, which provides a fully funded undergraduate education at the University of Texas at Austin for exceptional students who have overcome significant economic, social, or educational challenges.
“Winning this scholarship was unreal to say the least,” said Burnett. “When my Miles Ahead Scholars program manager told me he received an email saying I won the scholarship, I couldn’t believe it. All those late nights studying AP homework, starting organizations on campus and coming home late from baseball games had finally paid off.”
In addition to winning the scholarship, Burnett earned admission to the renowned McCombs School of Business, an achievement attained by only 9% of applicants.
“I couldn’t fathom a black kid like me getting a full ride to the most competitive and prestigious business school in the world,” said Burnett. “The only thing I could think about was the pressure I just took off my mom and how proud my dad is watching over me in heaven.”
While at the University of Texas, Burnett plans to major in marketing.
“I’ve always had a natural charisma and a real interest in branding, selling and understanding people,” said Burnett. “I want to use that skill to create businesses, build wealth and bring opportunities back to the Trinity Gardens.”
Even though he played on a team that didn’t experience a win during the 2025 spring season, Burnett learned to sharpen his leadership skills, opportunities and stay optimistic. When offering advice to the underclassmen, Burnett encourages them to stay motivated, lead and expect more from themselves than others.
Be yourself and stay ambitious. The only reason I got to the position I got in is because I didn’t let my situation be an excuse for my outcome. You’re the captain of your own ship. Don’t let your environment define your future, you define it.
Jamall Burnett
“Be yourself and stay ambitious,” said Burnett. “The only reason I got to the position I got in is because I didn’t let my situation be an excuse for my outcome. You’re the captain of your own ship. Don’t let your environment define your future — you define it.”
About Jamall Burnett’s:
Class: 2025
IG: @RichoffriskJB
Twitter: @Jamalburnett07
Positions: Pitcher/SS/CF
Height & weight: 5-feet-10, 145 pounds
Favorite artist: Future
Status: University of Texas
Favorite subject: Science
Shout Outs: Mr. Beeks my Program manager, Coach Laster, Coach Johnson, the entire Kashmere High School staff and most importantly my mother
