Kahlaijah Dean of the White Team makes a play for the ball as Ciannah Hayes brings the ball down court during the Kern High School District All-Star Game in March.
Bakersfield captain Taylor Caldwell,left,and Independence guard Kahlaijah Dean look to control a loose ball at half-court. The play was called a jump ball
Independence senior Kahlaijah Dean signed her letter of intent with Oakland (Mich.) University on Wednesday. She will play women's basketball at the school.
Girls basketball player of the year Kahlaijah Dean, senior, Independence
Henry A. Barrios/The Californian
Kahlaijah Dean of the White Team makes a play for the ball as Ciannah Hayes brings the ball down court during the Kern High School District All-Star Game in March.
Felix Adamo
Bakersfield captain Taylor Caldwell,left,and Independence guard Kahlaijah Dean look to control a loose ball at half-court. The play was called a jump ball
Felix Adamo
Independence senior Kahlaijah Dean signed her letter of intent with Oakland (Mich.) University on Wednesday. She will play women's basketball at the school.
Felix Adamo/ The Californian
Independence’s Kahlaijah Dean goes to the basket strong during the 2017-18 season.
Rod Thornburg / For The Californian
Independence's Kahlaijah Dean puts up a shot during a February 2017 game against Redwood.
When Kahlaijah Dean first started playing basketball in sixth grade, all she could do was shoot. She couldn’t dribble, except to get to the corner for a shot.
Six years later, she just wrapped up her senior season as a high-talent point guard for Independence High School with an ability to work pick-and-rolls, averaging a team-high 20.2 points, seven rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.3 steals per game.
