University of North Carolina Athletics
Deja Kelly (left) and Malu Tshitenge made an appearance on the ACC Network on Wednesday.
ACC Tipoff Stokes Excitement For Season
October 14, 2021 | Women's Basketball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – North Carolina's spin through the Atlantic Coast Conference Women's Basketball Tipoff on Wednesday covered a lot of ground – there were several live television hits, numerous photo shoots, competitions, teamwork, dancing, and lots of laughter. In the end, UNC's participants – junior Malu Tshitenge, sophomore Deja Kelly and coach Courtney Banghart – left the Charlotte Marriott City Center more excited than ever for the 2021-22 season, which begins on Nov. 9 against North Carolina A&T. "I'm so pumped now – I want to play a game tomorrow," Tshitenge said as the afternoon wrapped up.
The annual event, back after a one-year Covid hiatus, brings together coaches and players from all 15 ACC women's basketball programs for a day of interviews, photos and video shoots. (The ACC men ran through the same cycle on Tuesday.) This year's Tipoff was the second for Banghart, now in her third season at UNC, and the first for both Tar Heel players.
"The ACC did a really good job," Banghart said. "I felt like there were a lot of productive opportunities to promote our programs in different ways. For me, it was fun to hear our players talk about the body of work they've done in preparation for the year and also what they think this team is about. Hearing it from their mouth makes me feel like it's true."
In addition to questions one might expect – the boost from last year's NCAA Tournament trip, the outstanding group of newcomers, and improvement from last year – Banghart and the players covered a lot of new ground. The questions ranged from favorite Thanksgiving foods (Tshitenge's is pumpkin pie with vanilla bean ice cream) to what animal they'd be (Kelly's choice: lion). Banghart talked about her undergraduate degree in neuroscience, Tshitenge repeatedly replicated her famous uncle's post-block finger wag, and all fueled up between rotations with ACC-branded sugar cookies.
On the topic of team bonding, the Tar Heels discussed the August camping trip to West Virginia, with Kelly taking some ribbing for being one of the players who fell out of the raft while whitewater rafting. They also expanded on the team motto: Strong on Own, Best Together. "You guys will see our best when we're on the court playing as a team," Tshitenge told reporters.
Both players admitted to celebrity crushes on Drake, and Tshitenge revealed that she shares playlists with Banghart. And of course, all showed off their Jordans, carefully chosen for this event. (Banghart went with Dear Deans, Tshitenge with player exclusive 1's, and Kelly with Legend blue low 11's).
They also enjoyed seeing future opponents, both coaches and players, in a casual, non-game setting. With half the teams participating in morning sessions and half in the afternoon, there was a lunchtime crossover in which most teams were around the hotel lobby or conference space and could catch up over lunch or between sessions.
"Seeing other players and coaches, it's just been a fun experience," Kelly said at the end of the day. "I've been honored to be able to speak for my team. Talking throughout the whole day about our future and our plans for the season and how everyone looks has made me even more excited and more eager to play some games."
The Tar Heels will take the court Friday night for Carolina Basketball Late Night, a free event at the Dean E. Smith Center. For more information, click here. The event will air live on ACC Network Extra here.
The annual event, back after a one-year Covid hiatus, brings together coaches and players from all 15 ACC women's basketball programs for a day of interviews, photos and video shoots. (The ACC men ran through the same cycle on Tuesday.) This year's Tipoff was the second for Banghart, now in her third season at UNC, and the first for both Tar Heel players.
"The ACC did a really good job," Banghart said. "I felt like there were a lot of productive opportunities to promote our programs in different ways. For me, it was fun to hear our players talk about the body of work they've done in preparation for the year and also what they think this team is about. Hearing it from their mouth makes me feel like it's true."
What a time in Charlotte today 😎
Shout-out to @theACC for job well done 🏀 ✅@ACCWBB x #ACCTipoff pic.twitter.com/RaCy4ASpUO— Carolina Women's Basketball (@uncwbb) October 14, 2021
In addition to questions one might expect – the boost from last year's NCAA Tournament trip, the outstanding group of newcomers, and improvement from last year – Banghart and the players covered a lot of new ground. The questions ranged from favorite Thanksgiving foods (Tshitenge's is pumpkin pie with vanilla bean ice cream) to what animal they'd be (Kelly's choice: lion). Banghart talked about her undergraduate degree in neuroscience, Tshitenge repeatedly replicated her famous uncle's post-block finger wag, and all fueled up between rotations with ACC-branded sugar cookies.
On the topic of team bonding, the Tar Heels discussed the August camping trip to West Virginia, with Kelly taking some ribbing for being one of the players who fell out of the raft while whitewater rafting. They also expanded on the team motto: Strong on Own, Best Together. "You guys will see our best when we're on the court playing as a team," Tshitenge told reporters.
Both players admitted to celebrity crushes on Drake, and Tshitenge revealed that she shares playlists with Banghart. And of course, all showed off their Jordans, carefully chosen for this event. (Banghart went with Dear Deans, Tshitenge with player exclusive 1's, and Kelly with Legend blue low 11's).
They also enjoyed seeing future opponents, both coaches and players, in a casual, non-game setting. With half the teams participating in morning sessions and half in the afternoon, there was a lunchtime crossover in which most teams were around the hotel lobby or conference space and could catch up over lunch or between sessions.
"Seeing other players and coaches, it's just been a fun experience," Kelly said at the end of the day. "I've been honored to be able to speak for my team. Talking throughout the whole day about our future and our plans for the season and how everyone looks has made me even more excited and more eager to play some games."
The Tar Heels will take the court Friday night for Carolina Basketball Late Night, a free event at the Dean E. Smith Center. For more information, click here. The event will air live on ACC Network Extra here.
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