UNC’s Bailey, Kelly Earn Preseason All-ACC Recognition
GREENSBORO, N.C. – North Carolina senior Janelle Bailey has been named to the Preseason All-Atlantic Coast Conference Team and freshman Deja Kelly has been named to the Newcomer Watch List, the ACC announced on Tuesday. The Tar Heels were consensus honorees, recognized both by the league’s coaches and by the Blue Ribbon Panel of media and school personnel.
It’s Bailey’s third straight year to be named to the preseason team. Kelly is the first Tar Heel freshman honored since Bailey was named to the Newcomer Watch List in 2017-18.
In the preseason team rankings, the Tar Heels were fourth by the coaches and fifth by the Blue Ribbon panel. It’s the highest-ranking for Carolina since being picked fourth in the preseason in 2014.
“Preseason rankings coming out means that we’re nearing a season and that’s what we’re all most excited about,” said UNC coach Courtney Banghart, who is heading into her second Carolina campaign. “This group has been hard at work to earn success and we’re all eager to wear the same color soon. I’d like to extend a special congratulations to Janelle Bailey and Deja Kelly, whose previous successes have been recognized by the ACC coaches. There are lots to look forward to for Tar Heel fans.”
Bailey, a center from Charlotte, is coming off a season in which she earned All-ACC honors after averaging 14.5 points and a team-high 9.3 rebounds per game, both in the league’s top 10. She was a top-10 finalist for the Lisa Leslie Award as the nation’s top center.
Kelly, a guard from San Antonio, Texas, was ranked 10th among the incoming freshman class and was honored as a McDonald’s and Jordan Brand All-American. She was the Gatorade Texas Girls Basketball Player of the Year and earned MVP honors as her Duncanville High School team won the Texas 6A state title.
The ACC has not released a schedule yet for the 2020-21 season.