Former UNC star Deja Kelly commits to Oregon; UNC women add transfer

By Brian Murphy, WRAL

Former North Carolina guard Deja Kelly, a three-time All-ACC first-team selection, will play her final collegiate season at Oregon, she announced Monday on social media.

Kelly played four seasons with the Tar Heels, averaging 15.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in 121 career games. She earned All-ACC honors in her final three seasons and ranks eighth on the Tar Heels' all-time scoring list with 1,851 career points.

Kelly can use a fifth year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oregon, which will be a member of the Big Ten next season, went 11-21 overall and 2-16 in the Pac-12 in 2023-24. The Ducks finished the year with 14 consecutive losses.

UNC received a commitment from Arizona State transfer Trayanna Crisp, who played two seasons with the Sun Devils. Crisp averaged 12.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game as a sophomore for Arizona State.

The Tar Heels have signed guard Grace Townsend (Richmond), who averaged 13.5 points and 5.2 assists per game for the Spiders.

UNC will also have Lanie Grant, a five-star recruit out of Virginia, for the 2024-25 season after she reclassified.

Kelly is one of six UNC players to transfer: Paulina Paris (Arizona), Alexandra Zelaya (UNC-Wilmington), Anya Poole (Clemson), RyLee Grays (Virginia) and Teonni Key (Kentucky).

UNC went 20-13 (11-7 in the ACC) and lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to eventual national champion South Carolina.