“This is actually incredible”: College hoops fans react to Oregon’s Deja Kelly swapping jersey for microphone post-Ducks WBB’s 93-63 win
Oregon's Deja Kelly was playing two roles on the same day. On Monday, the Ducks faced the California Baptist Lancers and won 93-63. Kelly played 30 minutes and finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and eight assists.
A few hours later, Kelly was back on the court, this time as a courtside reporter for the Ducks men's basketball game against UC Riverside, which Oregon won 91-76.
espnW on X posted about Deja Kelly's dual role on Tuesday, and it quickly went viral on social media, with fans commending the guard for taking on two different roles.
"This is actually incredible," a fan commented.
"'Yea they had no answer for me tonight, I was cooking all them h*es well done. Back to you Scott,'" another fan joked.
"The diversity of the Oregon students’ skill set," a fan wrote.
"Locking down that TNT appearance - whether as a baller or reporter," one user wrote.
"Boss. And I’m here for it," one fan commented.
"You go girl. That's the behavior to copy from our young girls," another wrote.
"Already making sure there's an alternative when that pro career ends or doesn't work out..smart woman," one fan wrote.
Deja Kelly spent four years with the North Carolina Tar Heels before moving to Oregon for her final season. She graduated from UNC with a bachelor's in broadcast journalism and is now majoring in the same at Oregon.
The reporting gig was not Kelly's first time in the reporting world. She interned with SLAM magazine in the summer and is also the host of WSLAM’s "The 411 with Deja." The 5-foot-8 guard was also shadowing ESPN analyst Andraya Carter over the summer and joined the host and Elle Duncan for the WNBA season.
Deja Kelly added to the John R. Wooden Award watch list
For the third consecutive year, Deja Kelly has been named to the John R. Wooden Award watch list. Previously, as a junior, she even made it to the midseason top 25 watch list. Kelly was also selected to the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year and Naismith Trophy Player of the Year watch lists in October.
As a senior with the Tar Heels, Kelly averaged 16.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists. She led the team to four consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament and is predicted to continue her leadership role with the Ducks.
What do you think of Deja Kelly donning two caps at the same time? Let us know in the comment section below.