Deja Kelly Being Recruited By North Carolina And Duke Playing In The Nil Era And Playing With Acryli

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Do they tell you that when they're recruiting you?

Like, listen, if you come here, you have to hate Duke, and you have to hate them with such a passion.

Definitely. Like, they made me wear, like, a Doug Fook shirt on my visit.

Really? Oh my gosh.

On my visit, and Duke was one of my final schools in my recruiting process.

What's up, you guys, and welcome to the Courtside Club.

Today, I'm super excited to have a young star at UNC, Miss Deja Kelly.

Thank you for joining me today.

Thanks for having me. I'm excited to be here.

I wanted to ask you, obviously, UNC-Duke rivalry, we all know about it.

What was that like walking into school for the first time, walking on the basketball court, and then feeling that energy?

Yeah, that energy follows you literally everywhere.

Like, it doesn't...

It does not go away.

So I think that's the really cool thing about it, because, you know, it's just so historic.

Like, you can't get anything better than that.

So I think just me personally being a part of it as well, and then also getting to watch it last night, I think was just really, really special.

Do they tell you that when they're recruiting you?

Like, listen, if you come here, you have to hate Duke, and you have to hate them with such a passion.

I think, yeah, definitely.

Like, they made me wear, like, a Doug Fook shirt.

Really?

Yeah.

Oh, my gosh.

On my visit, and Duke was one of my final schools in my recruiting process.

Wow.

So they were like...

So I was like, okay, well, I guess I have to, like, hate Duke all of a sudden.

Right.

But, yeah, I learned to, like, hate them myself.

So...

What was that tipping point for you?

I played basketball as well.

We didn't have any athletes really in my family who played at that next level.

So I was very naive in that recruitment process, and we were just, you know, kind of going by what...

What school, you know, we liked the best or had...

I obviously chose the best basketball program.

But what was that like for you, having UNC and Duke as even two of the schools that were in the running?

So I think growing up, you know, I've always watched the games when they would play each other, especially on the men's side.

But the women's side was, you know, obviously it's a big rivalry as well.

Yeah.

So I knew about it.

Obviously, just watching it was always fun.

But I've never, like, understood, like, how important it was.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So I actually got on UNC's campus and Duke's campus when I visited both.

And literally everything, like, all their stores just has, like, anything against each other.

It's like, literally, y'all take this so seriously.

And then just me playing, I've grown to be like, okay, you know, we really don't like them.

Like, that's the other school down the road.

Like, we don't even say their name anymore.

You had UNC, Duke.

What other schools?

I had Notre Dame, Minnesota, and Texas A&M.

Okay.

And you're from Texas.

I am from Texas.

So was that, were you considering that?

I was.

I think there was a part of me that was like, oh, maybe I want to stay home.

Maybe I want to stay close to my family.

I'm a big family person.

So, you know, obviously that thought crossed my mind.

But UNC was just literally the perfect fit.

And I know that sounds cliche, but I was like, I just, I can't pass up an opportunity like that.

Who did you look up to when you were playing ball?

Or were there any programs?

I know for me, I was a huge Lady Vols fan when I was there.

I was growing up.

And at the time, Pat Summitt was there.

And it was the whole Pat Summitt, Gino.

That was my goal.

Didn't make it.

I'm an old Dominion.

Not too bad.

But that's who I looked up to.

And a lot of the players there.

Candice was there.

What about you?

I think Skylar Diggins was a player that really inspired me growing up.

I still watch her.

She still inspires me to this day.

But especially when I was younger, you know, just watching her passion she had for the game,

especially at Notre Dame.

I think that was...

I think that was a shift in women's college basketball.

Because, you know, you don't see many female athletes, you know, just show that passion.

It's not, you know, they don't want to see that kind of side.

But I think watching her, she was always authentically her on and off the court.

And I think that, for me, that's kind of how I wanted to carry myself as well.

You know, she is literally like a boss off the court.

So it's like I want to carry myself that same way.

And then she comes on the court.

And, you know, gives you 30.

So it's like that balance, I think, was something that was really inspiring for me.

And that's kind of how I went about how I branded myself, how I portrayed myself growing up.

And just to show myself that way.

That's something that I've noticed about you.

Obviously, this is our first time meeting in person.

But following you on social media and seeing your clips and then even seeing, like, how you style yourself on the court,

I think that's really cool.

And it's something that I've seen as of recent.

And the women's game.

I'm, like, aging myself a lot.

And I'm not that old.

But I feel like when we were playing, it was more so just about the hoops.

Now you're seeing a lot of these girls, including yourself, looking super dope on the court.

And then the stuff that you're doing off the court, too, it just translates.

And that's bringing what I feel like is more attention to the women's game in a positive way.

No, for sure.

I think so.

Because I think just, you know, us women athletes.

Just being able to express ourselves how we want on the court.

You know, not worrying about, oh, people are like, oh, you're wearing makeup.

You're wearing lashes on the court.

You're not focused on the game.

And it's like, no.

I just like to, you know, look how I look.

Look how I want to look on the court.

And while I'm still giving you buckets.

Right.

That's just kind of how I see it.

Because you're right, though.

Because that used to be something.

Like, if a girl was wearing makeup when she was playing, why are you wearing makeup?

Exactly.

And it's like, it was just, like, why do you care?

Right.

Like, why do you care?

Why do you care so much?

You're going out there to sweat anyways.

It's like, so?

I say, you know, look good, play good.

So I was like.

Girl, same.

Yeah.

So I'm like, why not?

So, yeah.

So I think that is definitely evolving.

Now you see a lot of girls, you know, getting their lashes done.

Playing with lashes.

Playing with nails.

Growing up, people always, like, criticized me for, like, how do you play in long nails?

And how do you get your nails done?

I actually, though, that is something I cannot do.

I've tried.

Right.

I couldn't shoot the ball.

I couldn't shoot well.

But I'm seeing a lot of girls with the long nails.

I don't know.

I started getting acrylics in, like, eighth grade.

My freshman year of high school.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And I was so excited when my mom let me, of course.

And then I was like, oh, like, I just really love having my nails done all the time.

Yeah.

You know, getting to change your color when you want.

I think that was just really exciting for me.

So I just always stuck to it.

And people have always asked me, how do you do that?

How do you do, like, it doesn't break?

I was like, of course it breaks.

All the time.

But I just like the way it looks.

You know, and then I, like, when I look back on TV, like our games, I'm like, okay, I picked the right color.

Because it's like, it's, you have to notice it on TV.

Definitely.

I think that's something, too, whether you love the makeup and the lashes or maybe you do have, like, more of a sportier vibe.

I love seeing girls kind of owning what is uniquely theirs and going for that.

So whether it's wearing certain sleeves or different shoes or styling.

Your guys' shorts in a different way.

That was something even in college for us.

I would roll my shorts multiple times and my coach would yell at me for that and tell me to roll them back down.

And I think that that's something in the women's game in order to keep growing like I have seen it growing over the past few years.

We need to know what makes these girls and women uniquely them.

Exactly.

I'm interested in the backstories.

I'm interested in the backstories behind the women because that gets you more invested in the game.

Someone's going to see this interview, get to know you better and be like, wow, she's great.

Now let me go watch her game, you know.

And they're going to watch it and be like, okay, she can really hoop.

Exactly.

Yeah, I think women, girls all around, I think them being able to fully express themselves on the court.

Like, you know, with me, like, I'm known as now, I'm known like, oh, the girl that always has her nails done and lashes done and hair done really well for the game.

So it's like, okay.

Like, I like that because I like people to know, like, you know, that's something I take pride in.

It's something that I've always taken pride in.

I just want to, if I look good, if I feel good about myself, that just does like a whole mental shift for me in the game.

So, yeah, I think that's really important for females to be able to do now.

I want to get more into your brand plans that you have after your college playing career.

But first, I would like to take a halftime break.

If you're cool with that.

Cool.

Cool.

So I have a quick and easy game of start bench cut for you.

Okay.

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You want to see legends?

All right.

So we have, of course, Michael Jordan.

We have Vince Carter.

And we have Caleb Love.

Start bench cut.

Man.

Don't be mad at me, Caleb.

I would start Michael Jordan because, you know, legend.

It would be a sin not to.

Right.

Exactly.

Like you would.

Yeah, that's hard.

I would start Michael Jordan.

I'd have to bench Vince.

And I'd have to cut Caleb.

Oh, no.

I know.

I know.

But, yeah.

Sorry, Caleb, if you're watching.

Next up, some WNBA legends.

Diana Taurasi, Candice Parker, or Lisa Leslie.

Gosh, you're giving me the hard ones.

Oh, gee.

Okay.

I would start Diana Taurasi.

Okay.

I just love her mentality and, like, how she attacks the game.

I think she's someone you want.

I would have to start her.

You want her on your team.

You definitely don't want to.

She's not someone you want to play against.

So, like I told you, I was a Volunteers fan.

Right.

And so couldn't stand her growing up, obviously, because she was incredible and played for UConn.

I did a job with her once and met her.

And I remember in the back of my mind being like, oh, I like this lady.

The sweetest person.

Like, the coolest person ever.

And so, you know, she's cool now.

Yeah.

Anyway, Candice Parker, Lisa Leslie, who we mentioned.

Lisa Leslie has to go.

You know what?

That's okay, though.

Because you're, like, the younger Jen.

Right.

That's, like, my excuse.

So you haven't seen her play as much as Candice.

Right.

I would say that's my excuse.

No hard feelings, Lisa.

We all know.

We all know.

All right.

So start Diana, bench Candice, cut Lisa Leslie.

Okay.

One that will hurt no one's feelings.

Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat.

Instagram.

Starting or cutting?

Instagram starting.

Okay.

TikTok, bench.

Okay.

I would cut Snapchat.

Cut Snap.

Are you on Snap?

I am, but I just don't use it as much.

It's kind of just there.

Yeah.

But Instagram, I've used that for the longest.

And then now I'm kind of starting to get, like, into TikTok a little more.

Your TikTok is great.

I'm trying.

I am trying.

I'm, like, trying to look at, like, all the trends and things like that.

But I'm trying to keep up.

But TikTok is really fun now.

But I would take Instagram as my starter.

You got it.

Last up, we have line drills, wall sits, and we have the one-mile run.

One-mile run is definitely cut.

For sure.

For sure.

Because I just, yeah, that is just not for me.

That has never been for me.

So that is definitely cut.

You're a sprinter, I'm assuming.

Yeah.

The thing is, I'm not that fast.

So it's, like, I just, running in general, if it's, like, not with a ball in my hands.

Out of here.

Yeah.

But I would have to cut the mile.

Probably, I'll probably start wall sits.

Okay.

I know.

It's different, right?

And then I would bench the line drills.

Wall sits are, you know, not my favorite.

But I'd take them.

I'd take those over line drills, I think.

I feel that.

It's time for the second half.

I want to touch on NIL a little bit.

You've done an incredible job on your social media pages.

And I feel like you're just continuing to grow that.

What was that like for you when you heard that news that, you know, college athletes are going to be able to make some money now?

Man, that was, like, the best news I've ever gotten in a while.

I think, you know, I always heard it.

Like, I heard the whispers about it.

Like, you know, possibly.

It's probably finally coming to life.

I was like, oh, it'll probably happen by the time I'm graduating.

And it finally came out.

I was like, wow.

I was really in shock.

But I was also just so excited.

I mean, that's just a huge step in college basketball.

Men and women, I think.

But especially for female athletes, I think that that gives us a chance to show people what we're about off the court.

Or off of outside of our sport.

You know?

We're not just athletes.

We're not just, you don't just watch us on TV.

Now you get to know, like, what we value.

What's important to us.

And I think that that was really, that was the first thing that I was really excited about when it came out.

Can you tell me more about how you've grown your social pages?

Because you do a great job on Instagram.

Great job on TikTok.

Yeah.

Well, starting from a young, a pretty young age.

Or at least when I, like, really got my social media.

Like, in, like, my freshman year of high school.

When, you know, my mom didn't let me have it.

When I was younger.

My mom didn't either.

Yeah.

Yeah.

But I think, you know, my mom really emphasized to me, like, how important it was to build your brand early.

So I kind of always, I started building that early.

I started, like, portraying a certain image that I wanted people to see on my social media platforms.

And kind of just went about that in a way of, you know, what I post.

What I retweet.

What I, whatever I say on.

And it's all my stories or anything like that.

I think that that was really important for me growing up.

And I think that that kind of set a good foundation for me when the NIL came out.

Because now it's like, okay, I have an idea of, you know, everyone else has an idea of what I'm about.

What I value.

But now I get to expand my social media in a way that no one has really seen before.

So now I get to really show, like, behind the scenes of, you know, my workouts.

Or behind the scenes of brunch.

With teammates.

Like, anything like, things like that.

I think people really want to know that stuff.

You know, because people are nosy.

So it's like, so now it's like, okay, now I actually want to show you that side.

Because for me, it's important for you to know, you know, that other side of me.

What I think is the coolest is when I see these different women's basketball teams doing TikTok, like, dances or trends together.

It's so fun.

It shows the kind of chemistry that you guys have.

Has that been any?

No.

Has that been any kind of a bonding or team building moment for you guys to make social content together?

I think so.

I think because my whole team is really into TikTok.

So if you were to look at any of their stuff, we're always, like, with me, I do a TikTok, like, before every game.

With one of my teammates.

And that was just, like, a tradition, we called it.

And some of my other teammates did the same.

And it's, like, that's just, I think that brings, like, all of us together.

Because we're all, like, everyone knows.

It was the same dances.

Everyone just jumps in.

For sure.

And we're like, oh, like, we know that dance.

Let's all do this one.

Or let's all do, like, this big group TikTok.

So I think that is definitely a team bonding thing nowadays.

Because you see a lot of teams, you know, doing TikToks together and dances.

It's something you couldn't expect.

It is something you definitely could not expect.

Because before social, you know, obviously you practice together or you do team dinners or scout together.

Social media has brought in, in some ways.

It's great things.

But it also has added a little bit more pressure.

Do you feel that also?

I think so.

You know, not a whole lot.

But, you know, there's always that pressure of knowing, like, I can't post this because, you know, people will think that.

Like, I think that there's some pressure.

Or sometimes you don't know if something that you post is going to have reactions from fans that, you know, like, wait a second.

I didn't realize that was going to happen.

It's like, wait, I didn't mean it.

It's this way.

And then now you kind of have to, like, play the, you know, save yourself game.

And it's like, but, you know, sometimes I think, yeah, I think pressure comes with that.

But at the same time, I think, you know, if people don't like what you're saying, if they don't like you for what you're saying or what you're about, then that's on them.

And I don't think that you have to really do anything to, you know, please them.

Obviously, they're following you.

You want people to follow you and want to know more about you.

But at the same time, I don't think you should have to, like, change how you feel about something or change what you want to say about something just for that.

Because there's always going to be people that are going to say something.

Right.

Always.

So it's like, whatever you say, whether you say that the sky is blue, you know, someone's going to be like, well, why?

Why would you say something like that?

Like, so I think that, you know, there's some pressure behind that.

But at the same time, I think it's something you kind of just have to get over.

Yeah.

And you're still athlete first, correct?

Social media is a supplement to what you're doing as a student athlete.

Yes, for sure.

Social media is just, you know, an extra.

I think it's just, you know, a fun, cool way to express yourself.

I think, you know, like I said, if people don't know you on the court, don't see you on the court, they get to see you through, you know, through Instagram or TikTok or Twitter.

And I also think it's like a really good platform for, you know, just connections.

Just building.

Just building a lot of relationships.

I think I've built a lot of relationships through social media.

So I think that that is really special in its own way, especially on Twitter.

I've met people that I never thought I would meet, but it's like, OK, now I've met you in real life and then through social media.

And obviously it's like sometimes that's like a scary thing.

But I think that even though social media is kind of like an extra side of, you know, what I do, I think it's brought a lot of great opportunities.

For me as well.

Your generation always is ahead of the trend.

What do you see next in social media or in women's basketball or the mix of both?

I think, you know, I think seeing it now, just seeing it kind of evolve in itself.

I think that's really exciting.

That's encouraging for, you know, the next generation.

You have all these younger kids already that are, you know, really building their social media.

Social media brands, building their brands within themselves.

I think, you know, have a lot of followings on their big followings on TikTok, on Instagram.

I think that's pretty cool.

So just seeing that evolve slowly but surely, you know, then that opens up a lot of opportunities for the NIL.

Because now you've built such a strong following when you were younger because now you see, you know, us collegiate athletes doing it now.

So you're like, OK, let me try to start early.

I think so with us.

It's us kind of inspiring the younger generation to do so.

I think that's really important.

And that's exciting for the future because now once they get to where we're at, they kind of have an idea of, you know, maybe how to handle themselves.

Maybe how to post this and that.

Maybe how to, you know, engage with their social media.

So I think that just will grow the women's game in general.

The women's athletes all around, on and off the court.

So I think that that's really exciting and encouraging to kind of see it happening now.

Yeah.

Is there anything you would love to see change about the women's game or be added to help grow the sport in the next five, ten years?

I think, you know, I think that we are growing right now.

I think that, you know, even if it's not fully seen or not fully understood, I think that in a way we're already growing.

You know, we had...

There was like two million viewers watching one of the tournament games.

So, like, that's a growth step itself.

So I think that just seeing that change is really exciting and encouraging that it's going to get better.

And for me, you know, I'm really big on, you know, women empowerment.

I want to see other women win, especially female athletes because, you know, we just don't...

I just don't think we get the credit that we deserve.

And I think that we're finally starting to get some.

Not a whole lot yet, but I think it's coming.

So that's just really exciting, especially for, you know, for me.

Once I leave UNC, I think for me, like now, I think I'm kind of...

I'm starting to, you know, build my legacy there.

And that was something that I wanted to do once I got there.

So, you know, people were...

I have people on campus like, oh, my gosh, you play for the women's team.

Like, that's so cool.

We all are so good.

Like, just hearing that, I think, is really like, wow.

Like, you know, it's so sweet.

It's so small and it's so simple.

But I think that shows or is like a next step to a big change for the women's game.

Definitely.

And you picked a great school that just has such dedication to basketball in general,

the men's and the women's game.

So what are your college goals?

A national championship.

National championship.

That is my goal.

And, you know, people may think I'm crazy for saying that,

but I believe in speaking things into existence.

So that is one of my main goals before I leave UNC.

And just...

Just to leave my mark.

You know, I want people to know that Deja Kelly impacted UNC women's basketball.

And she was a part of, you know, the Sweet 16s, Elite 8s, Final Fours,

national championships that you're going to see on the banners.

I want my name to be attached to that.

So whatever I can do to keep that up, I think I'm going to do it.

And, you know, those more banners will come.

And I'm really excited for the future.

Do you have WNBA dreams?

I do have WNBA dreams.

Yes.

I do, for sure.

So...

Why wouldn't you?

Why wouldn't I?

Right?

Exactly.

The path that you're on, you're killing it.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Yeah.

That's been my goal since I started playing basketball.

So obviously that would be great.

But right now I'm focused on the now and with UNC.

Definitely keep us posted on all you have coming up.

I will. For sure.

We will check out your social media pages, too.

I'm sure you keep everybody up to date there.

I do.

What are they?

Social media.

Shout it out.

My Instagram.

Yes.

At Deja Kelly.

That's it.

My Twitter.

At Deja Kelly 25.

Okay.

And my TikTok.

At Deja Kelly with two Ys.

With two Ys.

With two Ys.

Why?

I don't know.

Did somebody take the Deja Kelly with one Y?

And I was really, really upset.

Dang it.

I know.

I was so upset.

Okay.

Here's a pro tip for you.

Anytime there's a new social media, even if it's like the smallest thing,

and you don't even know if it's going to take off, just go get your handle.

Yeah.

So I've done that every time.

Right.

Because you just never know.

So like Clubhouse came out.

I was like, I just got to get my handle, even if I don't use it.

Because people now that you're getting a name for yourself will try to take your handle

and then try to charge you to get your name.

Yeah.

So I was like, I just have to add the extra Y.

Why?

I don't know.

But that's why.

Someone else took the Deja Kelly.

People will find you.

They'll see the little check mark.

You're good to go.

Before I let you go, this is the Courtside Club.

So I have a couple Courtside questions for you.

Cool.

Describe your ideal fit sitting courtside.

Oh, man.

Let's see.

I would say it depends on if I'm going for a really like boozy look

or if I'm going for more of like a chill.

I think I would do, you know, like some maybe like some leather pants.

A staple.

A staple.

Leather pants.

Maybe like a cute.

Some type of crop top, I would say.

I don't know what color.

Maybe like a puffer jacket.

I like it.

Maybe some ones.

Okay.

I think that's like, it's kind of, it's not fully bougie

and it's not fully chill.

I think it's right in the middle.

It's like I'm not trying too hard.

Right.

But I know I look good.

Exactly.

And then obviously I would have my, I would have my nails looking good.

My hair done.

So I think that that would be my idea.

And your ideal courtside food and drink combo.

Man, something regular.

I usually, when I'm at like games, I get hot dogs.

People will probably cancel me for that, but I get hot dogs.

I like hot dogs.

Hot dogs and what to drink.

I don't know.

Like, I really don't know.

I've legit had people come on the courtside club and tell me that they would like,

you know, hot dog and water as their ideal food and drink combo.

So I would take water.

Your hot dog and water isn't that boring.

You know, it's okay.

I mean like hot dog water.

Yeah.

It's not that boring.

No judgment here on the courtside club.

Thanks.

I appreciate that.

If you could sit courtside at one event in history, what would it be?

You're hitting me with all the good ones and I have to think.

It could be a sporting event or otherwise.

Something that I've always wanted to watch.

I think watching the last dance, the Michael Jordan documentary, that was really exciting.

So I think I would want to be courtside for like his last game.

Yeah.

Him or Kobe's last game.

Yeah.

I think that was something I would want to sit in, but that's obviously in the past.

For the future, I don't know.

I think sitting courtside at like another moment like that maybe.

I think Jordan's game would have been cool too because we didn't have the social,

obviously they were filming the documentary, but we don't have all those little social clips

that we have now when people go to a game and you can see everybody's like stories

or there's some viral TikTok that happens.

We didn't have that for Jordan's game.

So all we're really seeing is that moment on the court, but even just being there and

hearing the trash talk.

Literally.

That would be so exciting.

So that's something like in the past that I wish I could have been courtside for.

But maybe in the future, I think being there for some, you know, Kevin Durant's one of my

favorites.

Steph Curry is one of my favorites.

So maybe trying to be courtside.

I just feel like one of his last, hopefully not anytime soon, one of his last career games.

It's crazy though, because some of these guys, like you talk about LeBron, KD, Steph, they're

older now.

They're still incredible basketball players, but we don't have until the end of time with

them.

So to think about an NBA without those guys, it's going to be something interesting.

And it's exciting to see like who's next, right?

So who's going to take over?

Um, next, but yeah, right now I'm going to, I'm going to enjoy the moment with them and

then when that time comes, we'll deal with it then.

Speaking of NBA players, what is one NBA player you would love to talk trash to while sitting

courtside?

You're from San Antonio.

I know.

I would honestly say LeBron.

Okay.

I think, I think that would just be fun.

You know, he's a great player.

But I've never been.

I've never been like a huge fan of him and why I didn't, I don't know.

Yeah.

Like, I think, I think more, I am a little more now than I, than I used to be, but I

think him, I would, I would just, you know, try to get a reaction.

Who are you a huge fan of?

And then BA, who is your favorite player?

Um, Kevin Durant is, is my, my favorite.

So maybe that's why, because.

I know, right.

Cause it's them.

And then like kind of against LeBron.

Yeah.

So I, that, that's probably why.

But Kevin Durant.

And Steph Curry, I think are two, my two favorites right now.

Perfect.

So yeah.

And one last question before I let you go.

Who is one person, dead or alive, who you would love to sit courtside with?

Kobe Bryant.

Yeah.

I would love to just, you know, pick his brain, um, sitting courtside.

Cause I know that he would literally probably do a whole breakdown of the game while, while

it's happening.

Um, so I think he's someone I definitely would want to sit courtside with, um, and just,

you know, hear his thoughts, hear, hear what goes through his head.

Um, you know.

Did you ever get to meet Kobe?

I did not.

And I am very, very sad about it.

But, um, I did not.

I've, I've, I've obviously watched him play so many times and I, and he's someone I used

to like, Hey, growing up when I was watching him.

Cause just of how, like his mentality, but then, you know, when you get older, you, you

learn to be like, Oh no, he's like a killer.

Like he, that mentality is so dope.

So I think that me finally growing up.

And then after his playing career, he was a huge advocate for the women's game.

That's why I even asked if you had met him because I know that he met with so many high

school women's basketball players, college basketball players, and WNBA players that

he had built a relationship with.

Yeah.

So, which is so dope.

So yeah, it's, it's really sad that he's gone, but, um, you know, the impact he made

on the women's game, um, was really, really special.

And I know that he was planning on doing.

Much, much bigger things, um, but that's, that's to come.

And, um, we're glad that he's, he started that foundation though.

Have you had anybody who's been a mentor to you?

There, there's been so many people, honestly, that are, that are in my circle that have,

you know, really been an inspiration, really been a mentor for me growing up.

Um, it's honestly too many to name, which is, you know, but I think it's good to have

like a lot of different.

A good problem to have.

Exactly.

A lot of people who have positively.

Exactly.

Impacted you, excuse me.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So I think, um, yeah, there, there's literally so many, but they all have brought a different

piece into the woman I am today.

Um, so I think that that's really, really special and shout out to them.

They know who they are.

Yeah.

Um, so, uh, yeah, I would, I would say all, there's a handful of people that I would say

are my mentor.

Well, shout out to them.

Shout out to you, Deja.

Thank you so much for joining us on the courtside club.

Thank you for having me.

Make sure that you guys like us.

You can subscribe and I'll see you next time.