Colorado Rapids Welcome Midfielder Sam Bassett with Exciting Homegrown Deal

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids declared today the addition of 21-year-old midfielder Sam Bassett to a one-year Homegrown agreement lasting until 2025, with club options for 2026, 2027, and 2028.

“We are thrilled to bring a young talent of Sam’s standing into our organization,” stated Colorado Rapids President Pádraig Smith. “Sam’s abilities and his performances, both in our academy and more recently at the University of Denver, demonstrate that he is prepared to advance in his career. Our dedication to nurturing the finest young talent from Colorado remains unwavering, and Sam embodies the character and mindset we desire to have representing our emblem and our community. We eagerly anticipate his ongoing growth in the forthcoming years.”

Bassett returns to the Rapids family following four years with the University of Denver Pioneers. The native of Littleton is the younger sibling of Cole Bassett, making them the first Homegrown brother duo in the club’s history. Sam now stands as the second member of his family to progress through the Rapids Academy and secure a Homegrown deal. Prior to his college journey, the midfielder developed through the Rapids Academy across various age divisions.

The Littleton native excelled at the NCAA level, with his most outstanding season occurring in 2024. Bassett participated in and started every game while leading his team in both goals and assists. Throughout his four years at DU, he recorded a total of 77 appearances, including 63 starts, amassing 24 goals and 26 assists. Bassett’s 13 assists in 2024 set a record for single-season assists for the Pioneers.

The midfielder’s tenure at the University of Denver brought him numerous accolades throughout his four seasons. Recently, Bassett was honored as the 2024 National Player of the Year by Top Drawer Soccer and was a finalist for the 2024 MAC Hermann Trophy, the most prestigious individual accolade in college soccer. He also earned spots on the NCAA College Cup All-Tournament Team, the United Soccer Coaches First Team All-America, and the Summit League First Team. The 21-year-old was likewise recognized as the Summit League Midfielder of the Year for the second straight season.

“We are excited to welcome Sam to our squad and are eager to collaborate with him,” remarked Colorado Rapids head coach Chris Armas. “He is a gifted, box-to-box midfielder who possesses many of the traits we seek, including his competitive spirit and quality in the final third. Sam will be an excellent match for our team-first culture, something we highly cherish.”

Bassett initially joined the Rapids Academy as a U-15 player, finishing as the top goal scorer for the Colorado Rapids U-15 Development Academy in 2016. He subsequently competed with the U-17s before transferring to Real Colorado, where he led the U-17s in assists during the 2019-20 season. In 2021, he returned to the Rapids Academy to compete with the U-19s.

TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids sign midfielder Sam Bassett to a one-year Homegrown Player agreement with club options for 2026, 2027, and 2028, on January 7, 2025.

Sam Bassett
Position: Midfielder
Height: 6’ 0”
Weight: 165
Birthdate: April 13, 2003

Birthplace: Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Hometown: Littleton, Colorado

Pronunciation: SAM BAS-it