After four seasons in Chapel Hill, Deja Kelly will leave the UNC women’s basketball program.

The star guard confirmed the news, which had first been reported in early April, on social media on Friday evening.

“These last four years have been nothing short of amazing,” Kelly said. “The love and support the community has given me from day one has truly been special, and I’ll forever be grateful.”

After arriving in Chapel Hill prior to the 2020-21 season, Kelly helped the Tar Heels reach four consecutive NCAA Tournaments and win at least one game in each of the last three. Prior to Kelly’s arrival, Carolina hadn’t won an NCAA Tournament game since 2015. She earned first team All-ACC honors three times in her career and helped UNC reach the Sweet 16 in 2022.

Kelly scored 1,858 total points in her four years with the Tar Heels, good enough for eighth place on the program’s all-time leaderboard. She’s only the 11th player in program history to score at least 1,800 points. Her career scoring average of 15.4 points per game ranks seventh in team history.

“Coming to Chapel Hill was one of the best decisions of my life,” she said. “I am forever indebted to the University of North Carolina, the women’s basketball program, and greater Chapel Hill community for your hospitality and four years of amazing memories together. With that being said, all good things must come to an end.”

Kelly’s departure leaves a hole in the UNC starting lineup, one which has included Kelly for 120 of the team’s last 121 games. She is the second Carolina guard to leave the program, following Paulina Paris’ entry into the transfer portal. Reniya Kelly and Kayla McPherson will return next season, while guards Lanie Grant and Jordan Zubich will be joining the backcourt as incoming freshmen next season.

 

Featured image via UNC Women’s Basketball on Twitter

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