Personal:  Daija’s family includes dad Leon, mom Willa, and brother Leon. She’s been playing basketball since she was six year old. Her parents got her started and she just grew up playing multiple sports (basketball, soccer, softball). Her major is Biology. She aspires to become a clinical lab scientist.  In her spare time she enjoys singing, eating, sleeping, TV, and hanging out.

Athletic Highlights: Delta River AU League 2013; MVP 2011-2012.

Most embarrassing thing that happened in her sport: I was driving to the basket for a critical lay-up and I bounced the ball off of my foot and out of bounds.

Favorites: Food: Chinese Food Movie: Juice Entertainer: Chris Brown Athlete: Allen Iverson

Favorite Teacher: Ms. Lilla; she was my preschool teacher. She treated me like her own child and taught me a lot. We’re still friends today and she is an amazing person.

Person she most admires: My mom; she came from almost nothing and turned her life into something beautiful despite all of the obstacles she was faced with. I admire her perserverance and hope to do the same.

Person who most influenced your athletic career:  My dad.

One word that describes her off the court: unique

Quote that inspires her:  “Maybe the journey isn’t about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about becoming everything that isn’t you so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.”

Best thing about being a Hawk: The best thing about being a Hawk is doing the thing that I love with people who I love.