De Janae’s AthleteGEM™ Signature Diamond is a testament to her resilience and triumph over adversity, reflecting her journey from devastating injuries and personal loss to reclaiming her dream as a D2 soccer player.
There are some stories that don’t just belong to sports—they belong to life itself. De Janae’s journey reads like the sharp brilliance of a diamond emerging from the unyielding embrace of the earth. Each setback, each heartache, and every grueling step toward recovery has shaped her into something far greater than she ever thought possible.
Her story begins as brightly as the start of a season. In her sophomore year of high school, 2019, she blazed across the soccer field like a comet, finishing as the top goal scorer in her conference. Confidence beamed from her like the morning sun. November brought her club season, where she wasted no time stamping her mark, scoring within two minutes of the first game.
But the brilliance of that moment was quickly dimmed. Three minutes later, she fell, tearing her ACL and meniscus, straining her MCL, and shattering the rhythm of her young career.
Surgery came in December, followed by the steady climb of rehab. But as 2020 dawned, the world came to a halt. COVID-19 swept across the globe, shutting down her rehab and pushing her progress back into the shadows.
By April, scar tissue required a second surgery, forcing her to dig deeper into her resolve. Where others might see despair, De Janae saw a mountain to climb. Training four days a week, she clawed her way back, finally returning to the field in February 2021.
Yet life wasn’t finished testing her. In March, tragedy struck with a force no one could prepare for. Her brother, her best friend and the person who introduced her to soccer, was taken from her in a car accident. The weight of that loss drove her into the darkest recesses of grief. She questioned everything, even her love for the game. But where there was pain, there were also people—teammates, friends, a counselor—who reminded her of her purpose and gave her the strength to rise again.
But fate’s trials were relentless. September of 2021 arrived, along with her senior season, and she tore the ACL and meniscus in her other knee. “Why me?” she must have thought as she spiraled once more into despair. Another surgery, another fight to rebuild. As she stepped into 2022, the recruitment year for soccer, coaches doubted her. Whispers followed her: “She’ll never be the same player again.” In May, she decided to hang up her cleats and pursue college purely for education.
Yet, the game refused to let her go. Her heart ached for soccer, the sport her brother had introduced her to, the thing that had been her sanctuary. Depression lingered like a storm cloud until a glimmer of hope emerged. The head coach at Concord University extended his hand and invited her to visit. In that moment, the spark reignited. She transferred schools and reclaimed her dream, becoming a D2 soccer player.
De Janae’s journey is not just one of resilience but of unyielding transformation. It’s a story of being shaped, cut, and polished under immense pressure to become something luminous—a story worthy of its own masterpiece.
That’s why we’re creating the De' Janae AthleteGEM™ Signature Diamond.
"This isn't just a natural diamond—it's a living testament to De Janae’s perseverance and triumph," says Danny White, founder and CEO of AthleteGEM™. "Our mission is to honor the unique journeys of athletes like her by creating AthleteGEM™ Signature Diamonds that not only immortalize their stories but also serve as enduring symbols of their strength, resilience, and legacy."
This natural diamond mirrors her grit, perseverance, and triumph. Inscribed on its surface, like a whisper from the past to the future, will be the words her life has come to embody:
“Pressure breaks many—but it forged me.”
This diamond, like De' Janae, is a symbol of overcoming the impossible and shining all the brighter for it. When you hold it, you hold a piece of a legacy, a testament to the unbreakable spirit of a woman who refused to give up.
Fans can now celebrate De' Janae's inspiring journey by visiting her AthleteGEM™ Locker.
A Call to All Athletes
If you've left your mark on the world, it's time to let the world see it shine. AthleteGEM™ invites athletes from every field and arena to create their own Signature Diamond—a reflection of your story, your struggles, and your triumphs. Don't just tell your story—immortalize it.
Visit www.athletegem.com today to learn how you can create your own AthleteGEM™ Signature Diamond.
About AthleteGEM™
Led by former college football team captain and 35-year diamond industry veteran, Danny White, AthleteGEM™ fuses the worlds of sports and fine jewelry to honor extraordinary athletic journeys.
Collaborating with VD Global, a De Beers Diamond Sightholder, AthleteGEM™ creates one-of-a-kind natural diamond collectibles, celebrating the resilience, beauty, and triumph of athletes worldwide.
For business inquiries, visit www.athletegem.com or email us at info@athletegem.com.
The AthleteGEM™ Signature Diamond, officially licensed and crafted to honor De' Janae Hicks legacy, supports her athletic journey through premium NIL royalties.
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