AU Pro Basketball: Deja Kelly’s Next Step in Unlocking Her Full Potential
Deja Kelly likens the last few months of her life to a rollercoaster ride.
She wrapped an impressive collegiate career at Oregon and UNC, missed out on her dream of being drafted to the WNBA, was picked up by the Las Vegas Aces on a training camp contract, and then waived – all in a matter of months. But she refuses to dwell on the roadblocks. She’s poised to attack her next opportunity in Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball.
Kelly admits that this chapter of her career is following a disappointingly unexpected path.
“I’ve already, just in the past few months, heard people say, ‘Oh, well, you could just do other stuff…You don’t need to play, and you don’t need the W,’” she recounted.
And to be fair, Kelly has built opportunities for herself outside of basketball that she could easily fall back on, so to speak. The beginnings of a broadcast career, proven modeling chops, and a large social media following are all potential standalone careers that she keeps in her back pocket.
But a few setbacks aren’t enough to deter Kelly from her dream of playing in the WNBA. She values the other facets of her life and career, but they’re not replacements for her basketball ambitions.
“No,” she firmly responds. “This has been my dream since I was younger, I won’t just give up that easily just because I got a few ‘no’s, because I know that there’s some ‘yeses’ that are coming soon if I keep working towards the dream.”
Her next move – signing to play AU Pro Basketball – is one that she believes will be key to extending her pro career.
Kelly will be playing alongside and learning from current W stars come February, and last season, the sidelines of AU Pro Basketball Season 4 in Nashville were frequented by WNBA scouts. Nine participants were snatched up on new W contracts, and Music City just might be the site of Kelly’s WNBA career resurgence.
And she won’t be an outsider by any means. Her collegiate credentials alone – leaving North Carolina as the eighth all-time leading scorer, and leading the Ducks to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament – would make her a player to watch. Still, in her brief time with the Aces, she proved that she can hang with the pros.
Despite being waived, she made a strong case for herself in the preseason, tallying 24 points on 75% shooting across two appearances. She also sank a game-winning bucket versus the Phoenix Mercury. But a permanent roster spot wasn’t in the cards – this time, anyway.
Kelly is reframing this chapter in her life as an opportunity rather than a failure.
“My younger self didn’t quit when things got hard and when I was told no a few times,” she said. “I didn’t make the USA team multiple times. I didn’t make it till I was in college. And, you know, I was not always ranked … Trusting the plan and chasing the dream. I think that’s kind of what this moment is for me, and just kind of what I have to rewire my brain to do in this moment.”
From a young age, if she wanted to achieve something, she put in the work to make it happen. McDonald’s All-American, nationally ranked recruit, three-time All-ACC selection… She understands the legwork that’s needed to fuel a WNBA career, and she plans to do everything to push herself mentally and physically to that stage.
“I think being able to play alongside your peers as well, you know, some of the best in the game and people that are going to help make you better and continue to prepare you, that’s obviously something that has drawn me to, not only watch it for the past couple of years, but now wanting to be a part [of Athletes Unlimited],” she said.
AU’s values were another factor that left Kelly convinced that the player-driven league was the perfect environment to foster her growth.
“I’m really excited to continue to help grow the league as well, and grow the brand, and just being a part of something that really gives players a voice and gives players a chance to lead in that way,” she explained. “It’s something that’s super beneficial that we’ve seen for lots of players that have played in AU, and have really shown the growth in their W season. So that’s something that I’m excited to step into.”
Though she’s had her fair share of naysayers, Kelly has a valuable support system and a large online community – 1,464,900 followers across Instagram, TikTok, and X – that keeps her motivated while making her feel loved and supported.
“I just want to thank them,” she said. “Because a lot of them have gotten me through some of the tougher days and some of the tougher moments, when I see that someone is still rooting for me, or is still supporting me, no matter what stage I am in right now, in my life and my career.
“I appreciate their support always.”
Siera Jones is the digital media reporter at Athletes Unlimited. You can follow her on Instagram and X @sieraajones.
