Here’s a Rundown of Which UNC Women’s Basketball Players Have Been Nominated for Major Awards

Several UNC women’s basketball players have been nominated for major national awards. Here’s a complete rundown of who’s been nominated for what!

F Alyssa Ustby – Cheryl Miller Award, Ann Meyers Drysdale Award

Image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jerome M. Ibrahim

One of the most versatile players in the ACC, Ustby has been named a finalist for the Cheryl Miller Award, given to the nation’s top small forward. She has also been named to the watch list for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award. Ustby has had a standout senior season, recording the first triple-double in UNC women’s basketball history and leading the Tar Heels in rebounds, assists and steals.

G Deja Kelly – Nancy Lieberman Award, Ann Meyers Drysdale Award

Image via UNC Women’s Basketball on Twitter

This is the second consecutive season Kelly – a senior from San Antonio – has been named to the watch list for the Lieberman Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top point guard. Kelly was also named to the watch list for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, given to the National Player of the Year. Kelly has been named first team All-ACC in each of the last two seasons and is a two-time WBCA honorable mention All-American. She currently leads the team in scoring with 17 points per game.

F Maria Gakdeng – Lisa Leslie Award

Image via Boston College Athletics/Joe Sullivan

A transfer from Boston College, Gakdeng is bringing high expectations to Chapel Hill. She has been named to the watch list for the Lisa Leslie Award, given annually to the nation’s top center. In two years with the Eagles, Gakdeng set a program record for blocks by a freshman and was named to the 2022 All-ACC Freshman Team. As a sophomore, she averaged 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

‹

UNC Women's Basketball Signee Kate Harpring Named National High School Player of the Year

Incoming UNC women’s basketball signee Kate Harpring was named the 2026 Naismith Girls’ High School Player of the Year Tuesday. Harpring will join the Tar Heels for the 2026-27 season. Crown 𝗛𝗘𝗥. 👑 pic.twitter.com/EqMDaR949n — Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) March 17, 2026 The award comes after Harpring led Marist Academy in Atlanta to its second […]

Chansky's Notebook: The Reward

As it turns out, UNC women’s basketball fans will get at least one more look at the Tar Heels on their home floor.

UNC Women's Basketball Receives No. 4 Seed in NCAA Tournament, Will Host Games in Chapel Hill

Carmichael Arena will host NCAA Tournament action for the second consecutive season. UNC was revealed as a top 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament Saturday, meaning the Tar Heels will host first- and second-round matchups in Chapel Hill. Carolina will face No. 13 seed Western Illinois in the tournament’s first round Friday. The winner of […]

UNC Men's Basketball Receives No. 6 Seed in NCAA Tournament, Will Face No. 11 VCU in Greenville

The Tar Heels are dancing. Carolina received a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament’s South Region Sunday evening. The Tar Heels will play No. 11 seed VCU in the tournament’s first round Thursday in Greenville, S.C. The winner of the UNC vs. VCU game will play the winner of No. 3 seed Illinois and […]

UNC Basketball in the AP Poll: Women Up to No. 15, Men Down to No. 19

Both the UNC men’s and women’s basketball teams made moves in the most recent AP Polls, which were released Monday. The women’s team moved up one spot to No. 15, while the men’s team slipped two spots to No. 19. On the men’s side, the Tar Heels dropped after splitting their final two games of […]

Chansky's Notebook: The Case

UNC and head coach Courtney Banghart will have to wait and see whether they earned a top 4 seed and a host spot in the NCAA Tournament.

UNC Women's Basketball Falls to Louisville in ACC Tournament Semifinals

UNC finished with nearly as many turnovers as made baskets against Louisville Saturday in the ACC Tournament semifinals, falling to the Cardinals 65-57. After posting a 29-point quarter against Virginia Tech in the quarterfinals Friday night, Carolina managed no more than 17 points in any quarter Saturday. Despite the offensive struggles, UNC remained close thanks […]

UNC Women's Basketball in the 2026 ACC Tournament: How to Watch, Cord-Cutting Options and Tip-Off Times

Carolina will play in the 2026 ACC Tournament this week in Duluth, GA. The Tar Heels are the No. 3 seed in the field and will play their semifinal game Saturday. For a look at the full tournament bracket, click here. If you aren’t traveling to Georgia with the team, here’s how you can follow […]

UNC Women's Basketball Advances Past Virginia Tech into ACC Tournament Semifinals

Lanie Grant scored a career-high 21 points and Nyla Harris recorded her fifth double-double of the season as No. 3 seed UNC beat No. 6 seed Virginia Tech 85-68 in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals in Duluth, GA Friday night. The Tar Heels are into the semifinal round for the second consecutive season. See ya in […]

Here's the Complete Bracket for the 2026 ACC Women's Basketball Tournament

The 2026 ACC women’s basketball tournament begins Wednesday at Gas South Arena in Duluth, GA and runs through Sunday. UNC is the No. 3 seed in the field and is seeking its first ACC tournament title since 2008. Duke is the defending tournament champion and the No. 1 seed in this year’s field. Check out […]

›