University of North Carolina Athletics
Following two days of trials, Deja Kelly has been named to the U.S. AmeriCup Team.
Photo by: USA Basketball
Kelly Named To USA Basketball AmeriCup Team
June 23, 2023 | Women's Basketball
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – UNC's Deja Kelly has earned a spot on the 12-member team that will represent the United States at the 2023 FIBA Women's AmeriCup July 1-9 in León, Mexico. Kelly was named to the team Thursday night following two days of training camp.
"Being a part of USA Basketball has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl," Kelly said. "To have the opportunity to rep the red, white and blue to compete for gold is an honor. Mexico, here we come!"
In addition to Kelly, the U.S. squad consists of Janiah Barker (Texas A&M), Lauren Betts (UCLA), Chance Gray (Oregon), Abbey Hsu (Columbia), Rickea Jackson (Tennessee), Raven Johnson (South Carolina), Rayah Marshall (Southern California), Charisma Osborne (UCLA), Laila Phelia (Michigan), Angel Reese (LSU) and Jewel Spear (Tennessee).
A rising senior guard from San Antonio, Texas, Kelly led the Tar Heels in scoring (16.5 ppg, sixth in the ACC) in 2022-23, earning first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference and honorable mention All-America honors. She also led UNC in assists (3.2 per game, 12th in the ACC) and minutes (35.5 per game, fifth in the ACC).
Kelly was one of four added on Thursday to the group of eight selected in May. She planned to compete in the initial tryout but was not able to participate while continuing to rehabilitate an injury. Now healthy, she was invited to compete for a spot this week. Kelly, Gray, Barker and Hsu are the four new additions to the team.
The squad was selected by the USA Basketball Women's Junior National Team Committee.
The 2023 USA Women's AmeriCup Team is led by head coach Kamie Ethridge (Washington State University) and assistants Aaron Johnston (South Dakota State University) and Katrina Merriweather (University of Cincinnati).
At the AmeriCup, the U.S. will compete in Group A along with Argentina, Brazil, Cuba and Venezuela. Action starts Saturday (July 1) against Venezuela followed by Argentina on July 2 and Brazil on July 4 with all three games tipping off at 4:40 p.m. ET. The USA closes pool play facing Cuba on July 5 at 2:10 p.m. ET.
Quarterfinals are scheduled for July 7 followed by semifinals on July 8 and the medal games on July 9. Game times and broadcast information will be announced later.
Since the event's inception in 1989, the United States has captured four Women's AmeriCup gold medals, including titles in 2019 and 2021. In addition to the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela will participate in the 2023 FIBA Women's AmeriCup.
For more information about the 2023 FIBA Women's AmeriCup, click here.
"Being a part of USA Basketball has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl," Kelly said. "To have the opportunity to rep the red, white and blue to compete for gold is an honor. Mexico, here we come!"
In addition to Kelly, the U.S. squad consists of Janiah Barker (Texas A&M), Lauren Betts (UCLA), Chance Gray (Oregon), Abbey Hsu (Columbia), Rickea Jackson (Tennessee), Raven Johnson (South Carolina), Rayah Marshall (Southern California), Charisma Osborne (UCLA), Laila Phelia (Michigan), Angel Reese (LSU) and Jewel Spear (Tennessee).
A rising senior guard from San Antonio, Texas, Kelly led the Tar Heels in scoring (16.5 ppg, sixth in the ACC) in 2022-23, earning first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference and honorable mention All-America honors. She also led UNC in assists (3.2 per game, 12th in the ACC) and minutes (35.5 per game, fifth in the ACC).
Introducing the 2023 🇺🇸 #AmeriCupW team! pic.twitter.com/Gk2qdO0fVl— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) June 23, 2023
Kelly was one of four added on Thursday to the group of eight selected in May. She planned to compete in the initial tryout but was not able to participate while continuing to rehabilitate an injury. Now healthy, she was invited to compete for a spot this week. Kelly, Gray, Barker and Hsu are the four new additions to the team.
The squad was selected by the USA Basketball Women's Junior National Team Committee.
The 2023 USA Women's AmeriCup Team is led by head coach Kamie Ethridge (Washington State University) and assistants Aaron Johnston (South Dakota State University) and Katrina Merriweather (University of Cincinnati).
At the AmeriCup, the U.S. will compete in Group A along with Argentina, Brazil, Cuba and Venezuela. Action starts Saturday (July 1) against Venezuela followed by Argentina on July 2 and Brazil on July 4 with all three games tipping off at 4:40 p.m. ET. The USA closes pool play facing Cuba on July 5 at 2:10 p.m. ET.
Quarterfinals are scheduled for July 7 followed by semifinals on July 8 and the medal games on July 9. Game times and broadcast information will be announced later.
Since the event's inception in 1989, the United States has captured four Women's AmeriCup gold medals, including titles in 2019 and 2021. In addition to the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Venezuela will participate in the 2023 FIBA Women's AmeriCup.
For more information about the 2023 FIBA Women's AmeriCup, click here.
Players Mentioned
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