Since the initial announcement, the UPSHOT League has been presented as a league of opportunity.
Deja Kelly is taking that opportunity and running with it.
The Crown guard has emerged as one of UPSHOT’s top stars, heading into mid-July as the league’s scoring and assists leader and ranking third in steals – all while helping lead a surging Charlotte squad up the standings.
“Knowing how I can help this team, I think it varies every night,” said Kelly. “I’m just trying to do whatever is best for the team each night, being the competitor that I am.”
She was a standout performer in college, earning three First-Team All ACC honors in four years at the University of North Carolina and leading the Tar Heels to a tournament appearance each season before finishing with one more season at the University of Oregon.
That’s when her basketball journey went off script.
Kelly attended the 2025 WNBA Draft but was not selected. She would eventually earn a training camp invite from the Las Vegas Aces, but would be released before the regular season.
That hurdle didn’t deter Kelly’s drive, though.
“Going undrafted and all the reasons why were unexpected,” said Kelly. “But then I was blessed with an opportunity to go to camp with Vegas and just get my foot in the door and being able to show what I can do.”
Kelly joined the pro ranks with Athletes Unlimited for the 2025 season before taking an opportunity with the upstart UPSHOT League.
“Coach had said that she needs me to be a big part of the team and have a pretty big role,” said Kelly. “Especially being the first year, you kind of don’t know how it’s going to be or you don’t know what to expect. But overall, it’s been a great experience for me. I’ve grown a lot just over this first half of the season.”
The 5-foot-8 guard has been a Swiss Army Knife of sorts for the Crown thus far – logging heavy minutes, leading the way on the scoring front, establishing herself as one of the league’s premier distributors and stepping up away from the court as a team captain.
“Just being adaptable to the different things that coaches ask of me,” said Kelly of her outlook this season. “Each game she’s asked different things of me, and so for me to be able to show that I can adjust very quickly. That’s something that has been a really big part of my growth.”
The on-the-court play only makes up half of the brand that Kelly is constructing along her journey – crafting a business portfolio that began with her emergence as a leading figure in the world of NIL in college.
“I think it’s huge, being able to have other things you’re passionate about outside of your sport,” said Kelly. “I think especially for women who are playing basketball or aspire to play basketball professionally, just knowing that the average WNBA career is about five years. My mom and my family have always taught me that that’s super important at a young age, that just because something is my main priority and focus doesn’t mean that’s all that I am. How can I tap into different parts and areas of myself as a person, as a brand?”
That business savvy, paired with her stellar play, has helped Kelly become a star in the UPSHOT League’s inaugural season. And as she hones her craft in Charlotte, Kelly’s eyes remain on her next step.
“I think it’s also preparing for my bigger goals with the W,” she said. “This opportunity with UPSHOT to not just play basketball, but to stay stateside. I think that’s something that’s a blessing, not having to be overseas during the summertime and staying ready if a W team were to call this summer.”
Whenever that opportunity comes knocking, Kelly will be ready.
“It’s a league of opportunity,” said Kelly. “That’s what [UPSHOT League commissioner] Donna [Orender] had said when I first met with her. Just seeing it as such and taking it day-by-day and taking the opportunity to continue to grow my own game so that I am fully prepared when more opportunities present themselves – as a person and as a player. I think that’s exactly what Upshot has helped me do just these past few months.”