Kelly one of many talented players awaiting WNBA call after being waived

After joining the Las Vegas Aces on a training camp contract and turning in an impressive 20 minutes in her two preseason appearances, Oregon-product Deja Kelly was waived on Monday, adding to the list of talented players who will be watching season openers rather than play in them. PHOTO: Courtesy Las Vegas Aces

LAS VEGAS -- As WNBA teams make excruciating decisions to finalize their rosters this week, the most common social media reactions have been: "Make it make sense!" or "Why?"

From Monday’s announcement that undrafted Deja Kelly was waived by the Las Vegas Aces, to Wednesday’s stunner that third-year player Haley Jones was waived by the Atlanta Dream, to many others in between.

Thus, when the season opens Friday, there will be plenty of talented basketball players watching games instead of suiting up.

Kelly, who joined the Aces on a training camp contract and turned in an impressive 20 minutes in her two preseason appearances, barely had a chance to enjoy her game-winning shot in the Aces’ lone home exhibition, an 85-84 victory over the Phoenix Mercury on May 6 at Michelob Ultra Arena. The 23-year-old, who starred at Oregon, registered 24 points, three turnovers and three assists in the two preseason games.

Before being waived, Kelly spent nearly 10 minutes with reporters during the team's media day on May 8, and spoke on her time with the Aces, enduring the grind of being undrafted and the relationships she built.

Kelly did not answer a message requesting her reaction to being waived. Nevertheless, with a well-deserved just due for someone who could prove to be an asset wherever she lands, here is the getting to know Q&A with Kelly from media day:

Whirlwind few days for you. Game-winner, A'one night, now here. What's it been like? Have you been able to take it all in yet?

KELLY: “I've been trying. I've been trying. I'm starting to slowly but surely, kind of take it all in and just be where my feet are. I think, just, I'm thankful for the past couple of days, past couple weeks. They have been, it's been a whirlwind of emotions. So many different things are changing, happening. But honestly, yeah, just trying to stay in the moment, stay present. Again, the other night was phenomenal, to be able to be out there with the girls and A'ja's special night, like all of it just put together was made for a phenomenal night. And I'm just thankful to be here, right now, wearing this jersey, and I'm really excited for what's next.

Prior to being waived, Kelly recorded 24 points, three turnovers and three assists in the two preseason games for the Aces. PHOTO: Courtesy Las Vegas Aces

What is it like to kind of build relationships with rookies?

KELLY: “Me and (also waived) Harmoni (Turner), we grew up in the same area. We grew up playing against each other when we were younger, and always battling it out. And, you know, we both grew up dogs. So I think just being able to now see each other blossom into the space that we're in now, and the women that we are now. Both had phenomenal collegiate careers, like there's just so much there's just so much respect there and so much respect and love for each other. And I'm really happy for her. I know that her story is nowhere near done, so I'm excited for what's to come for her too. She's a great, great person as well as a great basketball player. So there's much more to come for her."

You rookies haven't stopped since October. How have you been able to navigate your mental health?

KELLY: "Yeah, for me, honestly, it's been up and down, especially since draft night. I think that was different. That took a different type of toll on me. You know, from a physical aspect, feel fine. I feel great, actually. But yeah, mentally, I think, you know, it can take a toll on you, I think in a variety of different ways. Mine was a little different just because of how draft night went for me and those next couple days. And you know, for me, it was just how can I get back to where I am and put my best foot forward? And I think that's really the choice that I had to make, you know, after draft night, looking for what's next and just wondering what opportunity was next, and really just trusting God in that sense, and knowing that the best was yet to come, that everything happens for a reason. And I think that's kind of what's kept me going mentally, because it's not easy, and it's not easy for any of the rookies, whatever they're going (through). Going from Paige, who's all over everything and having so much asked of her, and I'm really excited for all the rookies. Seeing how they've handled it is truly a testament to how great this class was.

On her Faith and the use of a sports psychologist?

KELLY: “I think that's huge. I think that's something that I definitely leaned on all throughout college, and now throughout my professional career, that's something I'm going to continue to lean on. But as well as my faith, I think that's the biggest thing for me, is again, trusting God, trusting his plans, and knowing that he won't let me fail and whatever that looks like. And I'm really excited for the plans that he has for me in whatever that is. But yeah, that's what keeps me going every day, is my faith, and knowing that God's got me for sure."

Since signing, your school project has come to light. As you obviously aged and matured, have you felt like you have to be one of those people that has to kind of speak things into existence in order for them to happen?

KELLY: "Yeah, I think that's something that I've really focused on and try to hone in on since I was young. My mom really instilled that in me and making a list of goals and visualizing. I think that's something that I started as a young age, hence making that dream board, that awful handwriting dream board. But yeah, that's something that I've done since I was younger, again just writing my goals down and going to chase them. I think that's something that has helped me. I've done it all up until now. I've always written my goals down and I like to visualize, and it gives you something to work towards and look forward to. No dream is too big. I wrote a lot on there, and at the time it was like, who knows? Hard work pays off. And to be able to look back now, check off everything on that dream board is crazy to me. But yeah, that's something visualizing, writing your goals down, chasing after them. That's something that I will continue to do, for sure."

Can you give us a little glimpse into what's on your vision board right now?

KELLY: "Ooh, you know, having a longevity in the league, successful career, health. I think those are the biggest things. I think now my perspective has shifted a little bit, because you never know what's going to happen. The most unexpected could happen, and I think that was something that really got put into perspective for me on draft night. And just seeing how things may not go as you plan, like God will look at your plans and laugh and be like, it's my plan. And I think that's where now, like I was telling you, I'm taking it day by day and just trying to attack each day with my best foot forward. And again, with the best that I can give. And I think the best will come from that. And that's kind of my goal and vision as of now."

You were in high school when she was at South Carolina and a rookie. So watching her now, being here with her, what's that been like?

KELLY: "It's been amazing. A'ja is a phenomenal basketball player, of course. But she's more of a phenomenal person. And I've only been around her physically for the past couple of weeks, but me and her have gone back and forth on social media, had exchanges up until then. And just seeing how much of a supporter she is for all of those around her, I think that's the biggest thing, that she loves to give back. And seeing a star like her, someone who is at the top of her game, like all the things, and she's still so willing to take care of everyone else and make sure everyone else is good. That's kind of what I've gotten throughout this whole training camp, is her being so helpful, her trying to help me learn, her helping trying to grow my game as well as doing what she does. And I think that speaks so much volumes about just who she is and who she'll continue to be. And it's so dope. You know, I was telling her the other day about her shoe. I mean, to see a Black woman like her, again, all the successes she's had in this space, to thrive in that way, and again, continuing to try to give back and elevate and create this foundation for the ones that are going to come after her, like myself, that's so it's so inspiring. And it's great to be alongside her now and continuing to learn and grow from her each and every day.

You’ve got the Point Gawd (Chelsea Gray), Jackie (Young), and you got Dana Allen. What's some of the advice that they've been giving?

KELLY: "To stay present and be me. I think that's the best advice, honestly, that they can give, is, as long as I'm myself, I will be content with whatever the future holds for me, whatever that looks like. And I think, over the past couple weeks, and leading all the way up until Tuesday's game, that's something that I really tried to keep at the forefront. And just being myself and knowing that it'll all work out, that's the best advice that they've given me, really every day. As well as you know, of course, some basketball terminology and things like that, when I had didn't know the plays. But yeah, I think that's their best advice, and seeing how they walk in their truth and walk in so confidently in who they are. You know, that inspires me to do the same for sure."