Deja Strong
Deja Strong
About Deja
Expert Analysis
Cedric Cobb | Prep Girls Hoops Scout
Strong’s impact went beyond the box score, but she still produced solid numbers in limited minutes. The senior forward recorded eight points and six rebounds, providing the Monsoon with leadership and championship experience. After battling injuries throughout the season, Strong brought physicality and composure that helped Valley Vista maintain its edge in key moments.
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Read EvaluationCedric Cobb | Prep Girls Hoops Scout
After working her way back from injury, Deja looks ready to remind everyone why she was one of the toughest forwards in the state. She plays with grit, rebounds through contact, and has a renewed energy that should bode well for her senior campaign. If she stays healthy, Valley Vista will have a frontcourt presence that can change games.
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Read EvaluationCedric Cobb | Prep Girls Hoops Scout
The lefty is back and almost back to her normal self. She played exceptionally well in both the spring and the summer. She was able to put the ball on the floor as well as show that she has range on her jump shot. Deja is still a load to handle in the painted area.
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Read EvaluationCedric Cobb | Prep Girls Hoops Scout
Strong continued her recent redemption tour that she’s been having. She’s reminding everyone of the player she was before her injuries. She played at an efficient rate and made her presence felt in the paint. She rebounded and shot the ball well.
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Read EvaluationDelon Bowen | Prep Girls Hoops Scout
She played with a really high motor and was constantly giving defenses problems. Sprinted the floor hard in transition and made herself available — always giving her guard a target. Finished really well through contact, even using her inside hand to convert tough looks around the rim. Just brought consistent energy and effort every time down the floor.
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Read EvaluationCedric Cobb | Prep Girls Hoops Scout
Strong has been on a tear as of late, and this weekend wasn’t any different. She was very aggressive on offense, overpowering many defenders who were thrown at her. She also rebounded well in traffic using her size and strength.
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Read EvaluationCedric Cobb | Prep Girls Hoops Scout
The versatile forward approached the games with a business-like demeanor. She showed off her ability to put the ball on the floor and go by defenders. Deja also showed that she knows how to use her body and keep defenders off balance. She has a soft touch from the mid-range, which is also a weapon of hers.
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Read EvaluationCedric Cobb | Prep Girls Hoops Scout
Strong has been battling injuries for the last year plus, but she appeared to be getting back to her normal self. The lefty was a handful from the mid-range to the basket. Her experience and clutch play were big. She also passed very well from her low and high post positions.
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Read EvaluationKelii Fish | Prep Girls Hoops Scout
Deja continues to elevate her game and make a name for herself as one of the top recruiting prospects in Arizona’s 2026 class. A physically strong and active forward, Strong is an impact player on both ends of the floor. She is a relentless rebounder, especially on the offensive boards, where she creates second chance opportunities with her physicality and tenacity. Her ability to finish through contact in the paint stands out. She consistently converts tough looks with composer, footwork, and a good touch on the ball. Watching her operate inside under pressure is a display of poise and skill. Strong is also an underrated playmaker. Her vision and passing from the post or short corner help set up teammates and scoring positions, showing a high basketball IQ. She can knock down the mid-range jumper and has a growing arsenal of ways to score the basketball, making her versatile threat. Defensively, she holds her ground, contest shots with good timing and is a capable shot blocker who can alter attempts without filing. Her senior season is on the horizon, and she is poised for a big year and college coaches should be paying close attention.
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Read EvaluationBrandon Duenas | Prep Girls Hoops Scout
Strong enters her junior season as our number four-ranked power forward in her class. She is listed at 6’1″ on Max Preps and knows how to use her size in the paint.
She averaged 8.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 0.4 blokes per contest for Valley Vista. It was her second season on varsity and she looks to build off the momentum she generated this summer.
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