After leading her team in scoring in home wins against Virginia Tech and No. 10 NC State, UNC guard Reniya Kelly has been named both the ACC Player of the Week and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association National Player of the Week.

Against Virginia Tech on Thursday night, Kelly tied her career high with 20 points while adding two rebounds, two steals and two assists in UNC’s 67-62 win, the Tar Heels’ first against the Hokies since 2022. Kelly followed that up by setting a new career high with 23 points against the Wolfpack, knocking down five three-pointers to lead UNC to a 66-65 win.

Kelly has led the Tar Heels in scoring in four of their last five contests, all of which have been wins. The sophomore from Alabama has started all 26 games for Carolina this season, is averaging 10.1 points per game and is shooting 42.5 percent on threes. Kelly is the fourth Tar Heel in head coach Courtney Banghart’s six seasons in Chapel Hill to be named the ACC Player of the Week and the first to earn the honor since 2022.

Behind Kelly’s impressive performances, UNC climbed to No. 9 in the latest AP Top 25 poll, which was released Monday. It’s the first time since the 2022-23 season that Carolina has broken into the top 10, and the latest in the season the team has done so since 2009. For a full look at the poll, click here.

The Tar Heels will be back in action when they visit Syracuse on Thursday at 6 p.m.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Anthony Sorbellini

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