Oakland's Daijha Teague CIF State championship performance should earn her more college attention
SACRAMENTO - It didn't take long for Daijha Teague to stand out.
First, it was a crossover from right to left into a step-back jumper that was pure.
A few plays later, it was a 25-foot chest pass to a teammate in stride for a lay up.
"I like watching De'Aaron Fox," Teague said. "Steph Curry, too. Who doesn't watch Steph Curry?"
She showed off an impressive floor game in Oakland's 56-50 CIF State Division 5 final victory over Montgomery at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento Friday morning.
She had eight points, six rebounds and five assists at halftime before finishing with 15 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists in the final high school game of her career. She was 7 of 15 from the field with three blocks and two steals, to boot.
"She showed off her whole bag tonight," Oakland coach Nita Simpson said.
As Teague continued to impress, reporters began to ask where she'd be playing her college basketball next season. Her game is so next-level, those asking about her collegiate future were certain there'd be an answer.
Not quite.
"It's something I'm interested in. I'm keeping my options open, but I have really good academics," Teague said smiling with the CIF State plaque by her side.
"I really love basketball. There's a possibility I play in college," Teague added.
Teague's family said Occidental College has been in touch with her about playing basketball, but Simpson agreed: she can play at a much higher level than that.
"She's a Division I player," said Simpson, who's in her first year at the helm at Oakland High. "
Teague has a 4.0 grade-point average and is interested in studying computer science.
"I love coding and they make a lot of money," Teague said laughing.
Teague is only 17 years old and doesn't turn 18 until October. She'll be a 17-year old freshman in college next fall. Her potential on and off the court is limitless. Her game speaks volumes. Her conversation in the post-game presser was articulate.
All that to say, there's no reason she can't study computer science and play basketball. If that's what she wants to do.
"She'd be an asset to anyone's program," Simpson said. "I don't doubt more schools will be reaching out soon."
