With the regular season about to tip off, WNBA teams are finalizing their rosters and facing tough decisions. While each team entered training camp with more than 12 players, league rules only allow a maximum of 12 on the roster once the season begins.

And for several rookies around the league, many were either drafted or signed just last month, and have already been waived.

Deja Kelly was among them. She spent training camp with the Las Vegas Aces and made the most of her opportunities during the team’s two preseason games. In the first, she tallied nine points, six rebounds, and an assist. In the second, she hit the game-winner and finished with 15 points and two rebounds.

During a recent episode of “Good Follow,” Kelly discussed her time with the Aces. At one point, she became emotional and struggled to speak.

“Gosh, I’m getting emotional now,” Kelly said. “It was such a blessing because um… sorry I’m not expecting it, um… because, it was just a sense of happiness, a sense of joy with that team and again to have all that support, especially after the game, seeing all the love that I was getting on social media. I think that’s the toughest part because it can be brutal sometimes and uh,… dang… I’m so sorry. But, it was an opportunity that I’ll forever be thankful to that organization for because it built my character, it built again my foundation for what’s to come in the future. You said it. Everything happens for a reason.”

“I’m not here to prove anyone wrong, I’m here to prove myself right.”
Deja Kelly reflects on her WNBA debut, the game-winner that lit up preseason, and the belief that’s carrying her forward—because her story is far from over. 😤
More from @dejakelly25 & @rosgo21 here! 👇
📺:… pic.twitter.com/ATXuWO0Aoz

— Good Follow (@GoodFollowShow) May 13, 2025

In college, Kelly played four seasons at North Carolina before transferring to Oregon for her final year of eligibility. In that last season, she averaged 12.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists.

The 5-foot-8 guard went undrafted in April’s WNBA Draft before signing with the Aces.

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