by By Dan Ninham, contributing writer
Kaylee Borden is a member of the Comanche Tribe of Oklahoma. She is also a descendant of the Kiowa Tribe.
Borden’s accomplishments in high school have led her to accomplish in the college environment. She said, “As a high school student-athlete from Anadarko, Oklahoma I was a member of the National Honor Society, Native American Honor Society, and Anadarko High School Native American Club. In high school athletics, I was the Oklahoma 4A Long Jump State Champion, a team member of the Oklahoma 4A Girls Basketball State Champions, and earned the Oklahoma Track All-State, Oklahoma OCA and OBCA All-State, and Oklahoma Girls Native American All-State recognitions.”
She received several college athletic scholarships and decided to attend University of Nevada Women’s Basketball.
Indigenous core values help guide indigenous student-athletes in and out of the playing arena. “One major Indigenous core value that defines me is determination and the will to never give up,” said Borden. “I have never missed a practice since my youth league. I am determined to always be accountable for my team, coaches, and myself.”
“Another Indigenous core value I have carried with me from my youth to college is self-determination. I have always set goals for myself since I was young and the goals have helped guide me. Although not all of my goals have been achieved and I have failed in some aspects of my life journey, I have learned a lot from each failure,” added Borden.
“Growing up in Anadarko, The Indian Capital of The Nation, I was fortunate to be around Natives of numerous different tribes and witnessed some of them challenge the adversities they were faced with and prevail,” said Borden. “Their willingness to battle through these adversities has really guided me to never give up in hopes of making the community I am from proud. Hopefully my life journey will inspire the little girls back home to chase their dreams as well.”
“My Khone/Grandfather Barthell LittleChief and Kakoo/Grandmother Deborah LittleChief are two of my biggest mentors and supporters in and out of the arena,” said Borden. “My Khone is a very remarkable Native American artist with artwork all over the world but his love and devotion to his family is very special to me.”
“Both my Khone and Kakoo have always encouraged me to be the best I can possibly be and to focus on what will make me a better person. It was the most difficult decision to move so far away from them and every day I miss them but they have never missed a game. Another big mentor in my life is my older brother. He was top of his class in high school, awarded the Gates Scholarship, attended his dream college and now mentors students at Pyramid Lake High School on the Paiute Reservation, as well as a youth snow ski coach at Mt. Rose. He is the true definition of a mentor and is always there for me whenever I need someone to talk to,” added Borden.
Nevada Head Coach Amanda Levens talked about Kaylee Borden. She said, “Kaylee has been a great addition to our program. She is a fearless competitor and one of the toughest players I have ever coached. Kaylee has improved every season at Nevada which is a testament to her work ethic and coachability.”
Check out Borden’s bio on the team website here: https://nevadawolfpack.com/sports/womens-basketball/roster/kaylee-borden/10158
Photo Credit: Nevada Athletics
