University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI
Acclaim Continues To Roll In, Reniya Kelly Tabbed To Naismith Trophy Watch List
October 30, 2025 | Women's Basketball
ATLANTA – Known for generating plenty of noise on the court, Reniya Kelly is creating plenty off of it as the junior guard was named to the 2025-26 Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Women's College Player of the Year Watch List Presented by AXIA Time.
The acclaim continues to roll in for Kelly, as she has already picked up early honors in being named Preseason All-ACC and to the Nancy Lieberman Award Preseason Watch List.
Coming off of an electrifying sophomore campaign, Kelly earned an All-ACC Second Team nod after posting 11.4 points per game in Atlantic Coast Conference Action. Tallying scoring in double-figures in 13 games, Kelly also earned ACC Player of the Week acclaim after back-to-back 20-point performances in wins against Virginia Tech and NC State. Kelly also scored a career-high 23 points against the Wolfpack.
Kelly is one of 50 players nationally to earn a spot on the watch list and one of 10 in the ACC.
The Tar Heels open up the regular season on Monday, Nov. 3, hosting NC Central for a Field Trip Day matinee. Tip against the Eagles is set for 11 a.m. from Carmichael Arena, streaming on ACCNX.
This game will not be included in any ticket packages and all admission to the public will be on a first come-first serve basis and complimentary.
Single-game and season tickets for the 2025-26 season remain on sale, For more information regarding tickets, visit goheels.com/tickets or reach out to the UNC Athletic Ticket Office at 919-926-2296 or tickets@unc.edu.
Stay up to date with the latest North Carolina women's basketball news on X at @UNCWBB, Instagram @UNCWBB and Facebook at Carolina Women's Basketball.
2025-26 Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Women's College Player of the Year Watch List
Raegan Beers – Oklahoma
Lauren Betts – UCLA
Mikayla Blakes – Vanderbilt
Madison Booker – Texas
Zoe Brooks – NC State
Addy Brown – Iowa State
Jaloni Cambridge – Ohio State
Aaliyah Chavez – Oklahoma
Talaysia Cooper – Tennessee
Audi Crooks – Iowa State
Jazzy Davidson – USC
Maggie Doogan – Richmond
Joyce Edwards – South Carolina
Skylar Forbes – Marquette
Toby Tournier – Duke
Azzi Fudd – UConn
MiLaysia Fulwiley – LSU
Yarden Garzon – Maryland
Delaney Gibb – BYU
Rori Harmon – Texas
Stailee Heard – Oklahoma State
Hannah Hidalgo – Notre Dame
Ashlon Jackson – Duke
Flau'Jae Johnson – LSU
Raven Johnson – South Carolina
Kymora Johnson – Virginia
Reniya Kelly – North Carolina
Gianna Kneepkens – UCLA
Ta'Niya Latson – South Carolina
Charlisse Leger-Walker – UCLA
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs – Baylor
Cotie McMahon – Ole Miss
Olivia Miles – TCU
S'Mya Nichols – Kansas
Olivia Olson – Michigan
Khamil Pierre – NC State
Kiki Rice – UCLA
Tajianna Roberts – Louisville
Kaylene Smikle – Maryland
Kennedy Smith – USC
Clara Strack – Kentucky
Sarah Strong – UConn
Hannah Stuelke – Iowa
Syla Swords – Michigan
Grace VanSlooten – Michigan State
Payton Verhulst – Oklahoma
Mikaylah Williams – LSU
Serah Williams – UConn
Laura Ziegler – Louisville
The acclaim continues to roll in for Kelly, as she has already picked up early honors in being named Preseason All-ACC and to the Nancy Lieberman Award Preseason Watch List.
Coming off of an electrifying sophomore campaign, Kelly earned an All-ACC Second Team nod after posting 11.4 points per game in Atlantic Coast Conference Action. Tallying scoring in double-figures in 13 games, Kelly also earned ACC Player of the Week acclaim after back-to-back 20-point performances in wins against Virginia Tech and NC State. Kelly also scored a career-high 23 points against the Wolfpack.
Kelly is one of 50 players nationally to earn a spot on the watch list and one of 10 in the ACC.
The Tar Heels open up the regular season on Monday, Nov. 3, hosting NC Central for a Field Trip Day matinee. Tip against the Eagles is set for 11 a.m. from Carmichael Arena, streaming on ACCNX.
This game will not be included in any ticket packages and all admission to the public will be on a first come-first serve basis and complimentary.
Single-game and season tickets for the 2025-26 season remain on sale, For more information regarding tickets, visit goheels.com/tickets or reach out to the UNC Athletic Ticket Office at 919-926-2296 or tickets@unc.edu.
Stay up to date with the latest North Carolina women's basketball news on X at @UNCWBB, Instagram @UNCWBB and Facebook at Carolina Women's Basketball.
2025-26 Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Women's College Player of the Year Watch List
Raegan Beers – Oklahoma
Lauren Betts – UCLA
Mikayla Blakes – Vanderbilt
Madison Booker – Texas
Zoe Brooks – NC State
Addy Brown – Iowa State
Jaloni Cambridge – Ohio State
Aaliyah Chavez – Oklahoma
Talaysia Cooper – Tennessee
Audi Crooks – Iowa State
Jazzy Davidson – USC
Maggie Doogan – Richmond
Joyce Edwards – South Carolina
Skylar Forbes – Marquette
Toby Tournier – Duke
Azzi Fudd – UConn
MiLaysia Fulwiley – LSU
Yarden Garzon – Maryland
Delaney Gibb – BYU
Rori Harmon – Texas
Stailee Heard – Oklahoma State
Hannah Hidalgo – Notre Dame
Ashlon Jackson – Duke
Flau'Jae Johnson – LSU
Raven Johnson – South Carolina
Kymora Johnson – Virginia
Reniya Kelly – North Carolina
Gianna Kneepkens – UCLA
Ta'Niya Latson – South Carolina
Charlisse Leger-Walker – UCLA
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs – Baylor
Cotie McMahon – Ole Miss
Olivia Miles – TCU
S'Mya Nichols – Kansas
Olivia Olson – Michigan
Khamil Pierre – NC State
Kiki Rice – UCLA
Tajianna Roberts – Louisville
Kaylene Smikle – Maryland
Kennedy Smith – USC
Clara Strack – Kentucky
Sarah Strong – UConn
Hannah Stuelke – Iowa
Syla Swords – Michigan
Grace VanSlooten – Michigan State
Payton Verhulst – Oklahoma
Mikaylah Williams – LSU
Serah Williams – UConn
Laura Ziegler – Louisville
Players Mentioned
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