The all-time leading scorer in Piscataway High School basketball history returned home on Thursday, Jan. 26, for a surprise honor.
Danjaeja Grant, who starred for the PHS girls basketball team before graduating in 2012, had her No. 24 jersey added to the Piscataway Wall of Fame before the Lady Chiefs game against St. Benedict’s Prep. Grant is an assistant coach for St. Benedict’s.
Chiefs coach Chris Puder announced the honor just after the national anthem played, surprising Grant as she was preparing her team to play.
Puder read Grant’s long list of achievements, before assistant coaches Kiki Bynes and DreShonda Williams, both teammates of Grant’s, uncovered the framed jersey hanging on the gym wall.
During her four years as a starter, Grant scored 2,565 points and grabbed 411 steals, both of which remain Piscataway records for girls or boys basketball. She also ranks second in girls basketball history with 1,389 rebounds, 313 assists, and 197 blocks.
Grant was a three-time Player of the Year in the Greater Middlesex Conference and was twice named first-team All-State.
“All of those accomplishments are great, but Danaejah cared more about her teammates and helping her team win,” said Puder, who was assistant coach during Grant's time at PHS. “During her four years, our Lady Chiefs record was 89-18. We won three GMC titles and played in two North 2 Group IV Championship games.”
After PHS, Grant went to Clemson University, where in she was named Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman of Year. After transferring to St. John’s to be closer to home, Grant led the Red Storm to back-to-back NCAA Tournaments and was named 1st Team All-Big East in her senior season.
She was taken 31st overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics.
“To honor Danaejah,” Puder said, “her PHS jersey will be hung in the Anthony Gym as an inspiration to all athletes to achieve their best and inspire them to do more.”