Deja Francis joined the Monroe University - Bronx women's basketball team as an assistant coach in October of 2024.
In the 2024-25 season, Francis helped lead the Express to their second consecutive appearance in the Region 15 Championship Game.
Francis was a very successful basketball player at both the collegiate and professional levels.
From August of 2023 until March of 2024, Francis was a professional basketball player for the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). She competed in several competitive games and tournaments.
Francis played college basketball for NCAA Division I St. Bonaventure University during the 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21 seasons. She earned a spot on the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team in 2019. She averaged 8.9 points, 3.0 assists, and just as many rebounds per game over the course of 79 contests played with the Bonnies.
After a successful collegiate career at St. Bonaventure, Francis spent the next two years playing college basketball for NCAA Division I Norfolk State University. Thanks to her strong play, she was named to the All-Mideast Athletic Conference first team twice. Francis earned a spot on the All-MEAC Tournament team in 2021-22. That same year, the Spartans earned a berth in the Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT). In 2022-23, Norfolk State captured the MEAC Tournament Championship and competed in the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament. Francis was named to the BOXTOROW All-America second team twice during her time at Norfolk State.
Academically, Francis was named to the Dean's List seven times. She earned a spot on the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District team in 2023.
In high school (Murry Bergtraum), Francis earned the Rose Classic Academic Award and was a Rose Classic All-Star selection. She achieved the best free-throw shooting percentage in PSAL play and was named the "She Got Game" Most Valuable Player.
A native of Queens, N.Y., Francis graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors twice from Norfolk State University. First, she earned her bachelor's degree in mass communication & journalism in May of 2022. After that, she received her master's degree in media and communication/media management in June of 2023.
