University of North Carolina Athletics
Kelly & Brooks Pick Up USBWA Watch List Recognition
November 7, 2025 | Women's Basketball
INDIANAPOLIS – As the Tar Heels are two games into the 2025-26 season, the honors keep rolling in for No. 11 North Carolina women's basketball with two standouts in Nyla Brooks and Reniya Kelly picking up recognition on watch lists from the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
Brooks adds to her roll of honors, earning a spot on the 2025-26 Tamika Catchings award preseason watch list. Awarded to the national freshman player of the year, the award is named in honor of the legendary Tennessee standout who was a three-time USBWA All-American for the Lady Vols.
Wasting no time, Brooks has started off hot in her collegiate debut. Posting a team-high 15 points in Carolina's season opening win against NC Central, Brooks became the first true freshman to lead the Tar Heels in an opener since 2021. Heading into the season, Brooks also earned a preseason ACC All-Freshman nod. Brooks is one of four on ACC squads to earn a chance to win the prestigious award.
Shining during her sophomore season, Kelly's acclaim continues to grow with the junior guard named to the 2025-26 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award preseason Watch List. Presented annually to the women's national player of the year, the award honors the legendary UCLA guard and hall of famer. Kelly adds to her growing list of honors, already named preseason All-ACC and to the Lieberman Award and the Naismith Award preseason watch lists.
Brooks, Kelly and the Tar Heels are back in action next week at the WBCA Challenge, facing No. 3 UCLA on Thursday, Nov. 13 from Las Vegas at 9 p.m. ET. The top-15 matchup will air nationally on ESPN2.
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.
Brooks adds to her roll of honors, earning a spot on the 2025-26 Tamika Catchings award preseason watch list. Awarded to the national freshman player of the year, the award is named in honor of the legendary Tennessee standout who was a three-time USBWA All-American for the Lady Vols.
Wasting no time, Brooks has started off hot in her collegiate debut. Posting a team-high 15 points in Carolina's season opening win against NC Central, Brooks became the first true freshman to lead the Tar Heels in an opener since 2021. Heading into the season, Brooks also earned a preseason ACC All-Freshman nod. Brooks is one of four on ACC squads to earn a chance to win the prestigious award.
Shining during her sophomore season, Kelly's acclaim continues to grow with the junior guard named to the 2025-26 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award preseason Watch List. Presented annually to the women's national player of the year, the award honors the legendary UCLA guard and hall of famer. Kelly adds to her growing list of honors, already named preseason All-ACC and to the Lieberman Award and the Naismith Award preseason watch lists.
Brooks, Kelly and the Tar Heels are back in action next week at the WBCA Challenge, facing No. 3 UCLA on Thursday, Nov. 13 from Las Vegas at 9 p.m. ET. The top-15 matchup will air nationally on ESPN2.
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.
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