Becky Hammon, Aces Release Unexpected WNBA Player Before New Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Liz Lindain | Last updated May 12, 2025 6:22 PM ET

With the WNBA season starting this weekend, many teams are now making their final roster updates.

It was announced on Monday that the Las Vegas Aces released Deja Kelly, according to Callie Fin on X, who covers the team for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

"The Aces have waived Deja Kelly," Fin posted. "They now have 13 players, including Cheyenne Parker-Tyus (pregnant), which should be sufficient for the opening day roster."

The Aces also made an official announcement on their socials on Monday afternoon.

This news came as a surprise to many fans, especially after she made a game-winning shot against the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA preseason last Tuesday. Her shot with 3.8 seconds left secured an 85-84 win for the Aces.

Originally from San Antonio, TX, the 23-year-old guard began her collegiate career at the University of North Carolina from 2020 to 2024, where she was a three-time First-Team All-ACC selection and finished eighth on the school's all-time scoring list with 1,851 points. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism, Kelly then played for Oregon during her graduate season, where she averaged 12.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.

For the past few weeks, Kelly trained alongside Aces veterans A'ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Jewell Lloyd, Kiah Stokes and others.

As of now, Kelly has not yet publicly addressed the announcement.

The Las Vegas Aces tip off for the 2025 season will be against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, this Saturday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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