Women's Basketball Signs Incoming Freshman Chikae Desdunes
Apr 03 | Women's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Rutgers women's basketball head coach Gary Redus II announced the signing of incoming freshman Chikae Desdunes Friday afternoon. Desdunes, a four-star combo guard, is ranked No. 51 in the class of 2026 according to ESPNW.
"I chose Rutgers University because it gives me the opportunity to compete at a high level while also opening doors beyond basketball, like strong academics, networking and career development," Desdunes said. "It felt like the best place to develop into a complete person, not just an athlete."
Desdunes arrives "On the Banks" following a standout high school career at John Curtis Christian School in her hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana, and DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida. At John Curtis, she helped elevate the program to new heights, leading her team to state championships in 2022 and 2024 while earning First Team All-State honors and District MVP recognition.
She spent her junior and senior seasons at DME, where she continued to excel. As a senior, Desdunes averaged 11.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, finishing her high school career with more than 2,000 points.
Desdunes also played a key role in leading DME to the Grind Session Regular Season Championship in 2025. She earned All-Grind Session honors twice during her junior and senior seasons. The 5-foot-9 guard also found success off the court as well, as she was inducted into the National Honor Society for her stellar performance in the classroom.
"I've been watching Chikae play since she was in eighth grade, so I know her game well and what she's capable of," Redus said. "She brings great versatility to the backcourt—she can stretch the floor, score at all three levels and she's a true competitor with strong ball-handling skills. It's really special that our first signee is someone I have a Louisiana connection with, and I'm excited to see what we can build together over the next four years."
On the AAU circuit, Desdunes starred on CyFair Elite in Nike EYBL play, leading the program to two Final Four appearances over three seasons while earning Second Team All-EYBL honors. She earned a reputation as a premiere three-level scorer during her time with the team.
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