In a wild preseason finish on May 6, undrafted guard Deja Kelly went from camp invitee to instant star. She hit a buzzer-beating jumper to lift the Las Vegas Aces to an 85–84 win over the Phoenix Mercury. Social media lit up with fans asking how a player with Kelly’s résumé wasn’t picked in April’s draft.
Kelly signed a non-guaranteed training camp deal with Las Vegas on April 18. If she makes the final roster, it could convert to a rookie-scale salary of $66,079.
Now, she’s fighting for one of the last spots in camp, battling draftees Aaliyah Nye and Harmoni Turner on an Aces team chasing a three-peat.
From ACC Star to Undrafted Underdog: Deja Kelly’s Training Camp Journey
The crowd at Michelob Ultra Arena held its breath as the clock ticked under 10 seconds. Tied 84–84, Las Vegas called timeout. The ball went to Kelly at the elbow.
With Mercury defenders closing in, she rose and hit a smooth jumper that banked in off the backboard at the buzzer.
The arena erupted. Teammates hugged her, fans jumped up, and Las Vegas walked off with the win. But it was more than just a win—it was proof that an undrafted rookie could shake things up fast.
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Kelly’s path to the Aces is all about grit. A Texas native, she starred at North Carolina for four seasons, racking up 1,858 points (eighth in program history) and three All-ACC First Team honors. She used her final year of eligibility at Oregon, where she averaged 12.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, and led the Ducks to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Even with that track record—and a silver medal with Team USA at the 2023 FIBA AmeriCup—Kelly went undrafted. But Las Vegas gave her a shot days later, signing her to a camp deal on April 18.
It’s a tight race. The Aces drafted guards Nye (No. 13) and Turner (No. 35) and returned proven stars like Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young. Kelly must stand out in a stacked backcourt to grab one of just 11 roster spots.
If she makes it, her contract will bump up to a full rookie salary, and she’ll unlock league marketing perks—just in time for a title chase.
Fans Explode Online Over Kelly’s Buzzer-Beater
Kelly put up 15 points in 13 minutes, all in the fourth quarter. She shot 5-of-7 from the field, hit two threes, and had a +11 plus-minus. Her poise stood out—especially against vets like Diana Taurasi and Skylar Diggins-Smith.
On X (formerly Twitter), reactions poured in. “She should’ve been drafted tf. She the main rookie balling,” one fan wrote.
Another fan added, “And this is who they decided to undraft?? What a joke. Aces would be wild not to keep her. She changes this team.”
A third user wrote, “Can’t let a player like that slide to another team. She has to stay.”
What’s Next for Deja Kelly?
Fans say Kelly’s poise and scoring touch can’t be taught. Her undrafted status is now a rallying cry—and a shot at redemption. Final cuts are due May 15. The Aces open the season two days later, May 17, against the New York Liberty.
The only question left is this: Will the Aces make room for the preseason’s biggest surprise?
Because when Kelly let that shot fly, every GM in the league had to be wondering—why didn’t we draft her?