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UNC Women’s Basketball duo named to Wooden Award Watch List

By Nick Delahanty

GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 03: Alyssa Ustby #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels high fives teammate Deja Kelly #25 during the second half of their game against the Duke Blue Devils in the quarterfinals of the ACC Women's Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 3, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Duke won 44-40. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 03: Alyssa Ustby #1 of the North Carolina Tar Heels high fives teammate Deja Kelly #25 during the second half of their game against the Duke Blue Devils in the quarterfinals of the ACC Women's Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 3, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Duke won 44-40. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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The UNC women’s basketball program’s senior duo have earned spots on the John Wooden Award Preseason Watch List for the 2023-2024 season.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Principal announced the list of 50 student-athletes who have been named to the John Wooden Award Preseason Watch list for the 2023-2024 season.

Chosen by a preseason poll of national college basketball experts, the list is comprised of 50 student-athletes who are the early front-runners for the Wooden Award All-American Team as well as the Most Outstanding Player Award.

Two UNC basketball standouts have made this year’s initial list, as Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby are among the players who were selected.

The Tar Heels dynamic duo were among 10 Atlantic Coast Conference selections, which is a testament to how many top-tier players call the ACC home. North Carolina is fortunate to have two of the best, as Kelly and Ustby have done tremendous things during their UNC women’s basketball careers.

Kelly has been the leader of the Tar Heels, as she isn’t just an elite scoring guard. The senior has taken on an even bigger role this year, as she’s been showing off her skillset as a passer, defender, and overall leader.

Ustby is a player who does a little bit of everything for North Carolina, as Courtney Banghart uses the word “relentless” to describe her. Whether it’s scoring the basketball or hauling in a big rebound (as we saw her do in a nail-biting victory over Davidson), Ustby is someone who simply makes winning players whenever she’s on the court.

To be fair, the duo of Kelly and Ustby may be the most underrated throughout the entire country. As the UNC women’s basketball program looks to reach new heights this season, it will be these two student-athletes who will be leading that charge.

Click here to find out more about the John Wooden Award, along with the full 50-player preseason watch list.

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