One of Carolina’s most dynamic players isn’t done yet.

Forward Alyssa Ustby announced her return to school for a fifth and final season on Friday. Ustby is among the last generation of players who can use a fifth “COVID year” of collegiate eligibility.

Ustby has been named second team All-ACC twice and first team once. Last season, she led Carolina in rebounding while recording the first triple-double in program history on January 4 against Syracuse. She posted 16 double-doubles on the season.

Ustby, along with fellow four-year seniors Deja Kelly, Ali Zelaya and Anya Poole, has helped bring the UNC women’s basketball program back into national prominence under head coach Courtney Banghart. The Tar Heels have reached the NCAA Tournament in four straight seasons and won at least one game in three of those appearances. Prior to Ustby’s arrival, Carolina hadn’t won an NCAA Tournament game since 2015.

Ustby’s decision gives Banghart back one critical frontcourt piece for next season’s roster. While Zelaya and Poole have left the program, the Tar Heels are counting on the healthy return of five-star freshman Ciera Toomey from an injury which kept her out all of the 2023-24 season. Blanca Thomas, a five-star signee from Charlotte, is also joining the team next season.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jerome M. Ibrahim

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