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Welcome to the third episode of The Bold Break, hosted by Chloë Clark, Director of Multimedia Content at The Big West.
Throughout the 2024-25 season, Clark will continue to highlight the stories of our student-athletes and coaches around the conference and give a closer insight into who they are individually on and off the field of play.
This week, Clark visited the campus of UC Irvine to sit down with reigning Big West Women's Basketball Player of the Year and budding neuroscientist Déja Lee to talk about the duality of identities as student-athlete and scientific researcher.
UC Irvine point guard Déja Lee stands at the intersection of two worlds — athletics and academics. As a member of the Anteaters' women’s basketball team, Lee is a leader on a squad that won The Big West Championship last season.
Off the court, Lee is an aspiring neuroscientist with a passion for research that sparks meaningful change.
Lee spent the summer immersed in a research internship at the Summer Institute in Neuroscience program at UC Irvine. The experience allowed the senior to delve into a research project that hit close to home.
“My project focused on how the environment that young Black children grow up in can affect their mental health outcomes,” Lee said. “I was able to use that to figure out where some of the gaps are in terms of the health care provided today.”
For Lee, this work is more than just a summer project; it’s a calling.
“It’s a question that I think is really important to me,” Lee said. “Just being able to be a voice for the Black community, especially in a medical field where there’s been institutionalized racism and things that have prevented Black people from getting the health care access they need.”
Overcoming adversity
Lee’s journey in college basketball wasn’t always smooth battling adversity along the way. The support of UCI teammates and coaches played a crucial role in her growth, both as a player and as a person.
“I got through a lot of the adversity with being resilient and consistent, showing up every day, learning from my coaches and teammates,” Lee said.
Being named the Big West Championship MVP and Big West Player of the Year were not just personal achievements for Lee; they were a testament to the collective efforts of the entire team.
“The thing that makes me the happiest in getting that award is actually seeing how proud my teammates were of me,” Lee reflected. “They all dogpiled me at the end of practice when coach told us. It was cool to see how much they supported me and believed in me.”
Global connections
Lee’s team at UC Irvine is a mosaic of cultures and backgrounds, with players hailing from various parts of the world. This multicultural dynamic adds a unique layer to their camaraderie and teamwork.
“A lot of us are away from our families, this is kind of all we have when we first get here,” the native of Surrey, British Columbia added. “Being able to support each other from that aspect, I think goes a long way for us as a team.”
As they prepare for another successful season, the team focuses on the details that can make a significant impact on the game’s outcome — whether it’s a 10-point lead or a one-point lead, Lee and the Anteaters understand that it’s the little things that matter.
For Lee, pre-game rituals are an essential part of the routine. Faith plays a significant role in Lee's life, and incorporating prayer into pre-game preparations is a constant.
“I’m very religious, so praying is a huge thing for me,” Lee said. “I pray for myself and my teammates. We’ve gone through a lot of injuries, so that’s the first thing I pray for.”
As Lee looks ahead to the future, she envisions a path that combines a love for basketball and passion for research.
“I’m really focusing on trying to see how far I can go with basketball first to see if that’s still an option,” Lee said. “If not, I’ll continue my education.”
Confidence is key
Reflecting on the journey as a student-athlete, Lee emphasizes the importance of confidence and self-belief.
“It’s one of those things where confidence can really affect the outcome,” Lee noted. “Even if you are capable of something, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get there if you don’t have the confidence and belief in yourself to do it.”
For Lee, the lessons she’s learned on the court and in the classroom are invaluable.
“Maybe not having all of the things figured out, maybe not knowing what the next step is, but even just having the confidence to take that step is really something that is a big takeaway for me,” Lee added.
The Anteaters are set to take the next step on the court at Penn today at 3 p.m. PT. Lee's next step after college is yet to be determined, but is sure to be one of immense impact.