TAFT, CA – Taft College Women's Basketball has added a third member of a state champion team to their Fall 2025 roster.

Deshaya Hart is a 5'8" forward who helped lead Legacy High School in Las Vegas, Nevada to a 4A state title. Her past two years, she was a varsity starter averaging 6.5 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 3.5 steals.

TC Head Women's Basketball Coach Romeo Lagmay, Jr. said, "Shay is an asset every coach wants from at least one of their players. And that is hustle and heart. A defensive menace, she does all the things that don't necessarily show up on a stat sheet. She is an impact in deflections, charges, diving on loose balls, setting screens, saving the ball from out of bounds, and whatever needs to be done to win a ball game. Our program has amplified with Shay now on the roster."

In her junior year, she was voted for 4A Sky League Second Team in basketball, and was the Most Valuable Player in track, receiving the Outstanding Performance Award as well. This past season, she was one of the Team's MVP, First Team Sky League and Second Team All-State. Both years, she was part of the National Honors Society academically.

Legacy Head Coach Tiffany Richardson added, "Deshaya is the player that does everything that doesn't show up on the stat sheets. I put her on the other team's best guard. She is on top of the press. She rebounds, plays defense, knocks down the open 3, and finishes on the break. Just a solid player every team could use."

Deshaya Hart shared her remarks as well saying, "I committed to Taft College because they offer the perfect start academically and a competitive athletic program that will me grow both on and off the court. The coaching staff made me feel welcomed and supported from the beginning and I saw a real opportunity to contribute to the team's success. Taft provides the right environment for me to focus on my goals and take the next step in my basketball journey."

Hart becomes the eighth member for the upcoming women's basketball 2025 recruiting class.