UNC Women’s Basketball trio earn All-ACC Academic Honors

As announced by the Atlantic Coast Conference on Thursday, a trio of UNC women’s basketball players earned academic honors.

The annual All-ACC Academic teams were announced on Thursday, as three current UNC women’s basketball players earned the honor for the 2022-2023 season.

Freshman Paulina Paris, along with juniors Alyssa Ustby and Alexandra Zelaya, earned the honor for this past season. In order to secure a spot on the list, student-athletes must hold a 3.0 grade point average for the previous semester and a 3.0 cumulative average during one’s academic career. Additionally, student-athletes must compete in at least 50 percent of their team’s contests.

In her first collegiate season, Paris got it done on and off the court. While playing in all 33 of the Tar Heels contests this season, the Congers, New York native became a vital piece off the bench for Courtney Banghart’s squad. While competing for the UNC women’s basketball program, she is pursuing a degree in exercise and sport science.

Ustby is no stranger to this list, as she is now a three-time recipient. While pursuing a media & journalism major on the advertising and PR track along with a business administration minor, the Rochester, Minnesota native was one of the best players in the ACC, finishing in the top 10 in multiple statistical categories.

Similar to Paris, Zelaya is a first-time recipient of this award. The junior forward is an environmental science major and is also looking to obtain minors in marine science and business administration. This season, Zelaya appeared in 26 games, as she provided some quality depth off the bench.

Along with the trio of current Tar Heels to make the list, former UNC women’s basketball player Kennedy Todd-Williams also earned the honor.

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