Leading up to her junior season, the country is well-aware of just how good Reniya Kelly is.
In fact, Kelly is regarded as one of the top point guards that the country has to offer, as the UNC women's basketball program's star has earned a spot on the Nancy Lieberman Award Watch list for the 2025-2026 season.
Keep your eye on No. 🔟 pic.twitter.com/JhbqpknanC
— Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) October 27, 2025
The Lieberman Award annually recognizes the top point guard in women's NCAA Division I college basketball. Candidates must possess the floor leadership, play making and ball-handling skills that Lieberman showcased throughout her Hall of Fame career.
Kelly is one of 20 players to make the initial list. While players can play their way on (and off) the list throughout the 2025-2026 season, the goal is to remain on as the list gets narrowed down as the season progresses.
The Hoover, Alabama native put together a strong sophomore season, one in which she earned All-ACC Second Team honors. Kelly started all 33 games she played in, scoring in double-digits on 13 separate occasions. When conference play came about, Kelly took her game to a higher level, recording eight of those aforementioned double-digit outings against conference foes.
Her best game of the year game against No. 10-ranked NC State, one in which she scored a career-high 23 points in the victory. In that game, Kelly drained five three pointers, showcasing her ability to knock down shots from anywhere on the floor.
Kelly now hopes to lead the UNC women's basketball program to greater heights this season. Now playing as an upperclassmen, Courtney Banghart will rely heavily on her point guard to pave the way to make that happen.
The 2026 Nancy Lieberman Award Preseason Watch list candidates can be found below:
2026 Nancy Lieberman Award Candidates
Rachael Rose – Clemson
Taina Mair – Duke
Janelle Brown – Fairfield
Jada Williams – Iowa State
S'Mya Nichols – Kansas
Tonie Morgan – Kentucky
MiLaysia Fulwiley – LSU
Zoe Brooks – NC State
Britt Prince – Nebraska
Reniya Kelly – North Carolina
Hannah Hidalgo – Notre Dame
Aaliyah Chavez – Oklahoma
Raven Johnson – South Carolina
Olivia Miles – TCU
Talaysia Cooper – Tennessee
Rori Harmon – Texas
Ny'Ceara Pryor – Texas A&M
Kiki Rice – UCLA
Kymora Johnson – Virginia
Jordan Harrison – West Virginia
*Players can play their way onto and off the list at any point in the 2025-26 season.