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UNC Basketball: Deja Kelly named to Nancy Lieberman Watch List

By Nick Delahanty

GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 25: Deja Kelly #25 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbles as Brea Beal #12 of the South Carolina Gamecocks defends during the first half in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 Round at Greensboro Coliseum Complex on March 25, 2022 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 25: Deja Kelly #25 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dribbles as Brea Beal #12 of the South Carolina Gamecocks defends during the first half in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Sweet 16 Round at Greensboro Coliseum Complex on March 25, 2022 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Heading into her junior season with the UNC basketball program, Deja Kelly is regarded as one of the top point guards in the country.

After a stellar sophomore year, UNC basketball standout Deja Kelly is ready to take her game, and the Tar Heels, to new heights this season.

With the start of the 2022-2023 season looming, Kelly has been named to the Nancy Lieberman Award preseason list, an award given annually to the top point guard in NCAA women’s basketball.

The Duncanville, Texas native is one of just 20 players nationally to be included on this preseason list. In February, the pool of players will be narrowed to ten, while the five finalists for this year’s award will be announced in March.

Kelly was the Tar Heels leading scorer a season ago, averaging 16.5 points per game en route to earning All-ACC and honorable mention All-American honors. She played a major role in helping the UNC basketball program make a strong push to the Sweet 16.

When asked about Kelly being named to this list, head coach Courtney Banghart believes that she is a very strong candidate for the award.

"“Deja is a great player and has continued to elevate her game through her work ethic and attention to detail. She puts in the time on the court and in the film room, and she has steady improvement to show for it. As one of the best guards in the country, she impacts our team in so many positive ways. Her resume makes her a strong candidate for the Lieberman Award and I’m excited to see her continue to build throughout the season.”"

It’s no secret that Kelly has turned into a star throughout college sports, and her stardom can grow even more if she can lead the UNC basketball program even further this upcoming season.

Kelly and the Tar Heels will kick off the 2022-2023 season at home on November 9 against Jackson State.

Next. Tar Heels Top Preseason AP Poll. dark

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