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EUGENE, Ore– It may have been short, but it was an incredible experience for Oregon guard Deja Kelly in her single season with Oregon women’s basketball.
In just one year’s time, Kelly not only changed the trajectory for Oregon women’s basketball, but in the process the culture and the program changed her.
“This has been truly, um, one of the best years of my career and I could not be more thankful for this group, for the staff, for the program,” Kelly said after the team’s loss to Duke in the NCAA Tournament. “KG said I re-energize the program, they re-energized me.”
As Kelly’s time in Eugene and playing at the collegiate level come to a close a new chapter in Kelly’s life is taking shape.
On Wednesday the Duncanville, Texas native declared on her Instagram that after five seasons of playing in college, between North Carolina and Oregon, she will be entering the 2025 WNBA Draft.
“College basketball has shaped me, challenged me and given me lifelong memories and relationships that I will cherish forever,” Kelly said in the post. “I reflect on my journey with immense gratitude for the love, support and adversity I came across along the way, as I know it has helped me blossom into the woman I am today.”
During her time at the collegiate level Kelly averaged nearly 15 points per game (14.7), along with roughly three rebounds and three assists ever game. In her single season with the Ducks, Kelly led the team in scoring, assists and steals and was second on the team in rebounds.
Kelly will find out where her next chapter begins on April 14th when the WNBA Draft takes place in New York City.
Brett Taylor joined the KEZI 9 News team as a sports anchor and reporter in June of 2023. If you have a story idea, you can email Brett at btaylor@kezi.com.
