Overview:
The Dallas Wings have signed guard Deja Kelly to a Developmental Player contract. The former North Carolina standout and 2026 Upshot League MVP most recently played for the Charlotte Crown. Kelly, who previously had a training camp stint with the Las Vegas Aces, will wear No. 2 for the Wings.
The Dallas Wings have signed guard Deja Kelly to a Developmental Player contract, the team announced today.
The 5-8 guard recently led the Charlotte Crown to the Upshot League title in its inaugural season. Kelly was named the recipient of the Ann Meyers Drysdale MVP award after totaling 29 points and six rebounds in the Crown’s championship game win over the Jacksonville Waves. Over the 2026 season, Kelly averaged Upshot League highs of 18.1 points and 4.0 assists per game.
A native of nearby Duncanville, Texas, Kelly spent her first four collegiate seasons at North Carolina where she left ranked No. 8 on the program’s all-time scoring list with 1,858 points. While in Chapel Hill, Kelly helped the Tar Heels advance to four straight NCAA Tournaments, advancing to the Sweet 16 in 2022. As a graduate student at Oregon in 2024-25, Kelly averaged 12.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in helping lead the Ducks to a 20-12 record and the 2025 NCAA Tournament Second Round. After going undrafted, Kelly signed a training camp contract with the Las Vegas Aces in April of 2025, but was waived prior to the start of the season.
Under the 2026 CBA, Developmental Players can practice and travel with the team and are eligible to be active in a certain number of regular season games. Additionally, teams will have the reserved rights to up to two players who finished the prior season on a Player Development Contract. For the 2026 season, each Developmental Player may be activated for up to 12 games, with teams limited to 24 total developmental player activations across the season.
Kelly will wear No. 2 for the Dallas Wings.
