UNC Basketball: Kelly and Ustby named to Naismith Award Watch List

The UNC basketball duo of Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby are regarded as two of the top players in the country heading into the 2022-2023 season.

Just a few days prior to the start of the 2022-2023 college basketball season, the 50 players who were named to the preseason watch list for the 2023 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy were released.

The UNC basketball program is one of just 15 programs to have two or more student-athletes make the list.

Juniors Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby represent the Tar Heels on this preseason list. Both come into the season regarded among the top players in the entire country.

"“The athletes on the watch list are the best of the best in their sport, and likely will provide a season full of exciting moments on the court. We are excited to watch these women compete as we get ready for another terrific season of women’s college basketball.” Jeff Hemschoot, vice president of marketing, Jersey Mike’s."

The initial list of 50 players gets trimmed down to 30 in early January, as the 10 national semifinalists are identified near the end of the regular season in early March. Similar to the NCAA Tournament format, the “Final Four” will be released on March 21, with the overall winner of the award being announced later in the month.

Kelly is coming off a sophomore season in which she led the Tar Heels in scoring with 16.5 points per game. Ustby, the team’s second-leading scorer, led the UNC basketball program with 8.6 rebounds and 1.7 steals per contest.

Both student-athletes played a major role in the team’s strong run to last season’s Sweet 16, and will once be an integral part of how far the Tar Heels get during the upcoming season.

With both players back in the mix, the goal is for the UNC women’s basketball program to make an even deeper run into this year’s NCAA Tournament.

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