New star rookies, Caitlin Clark’s presumed MVP year, players feeling stronger and readier than ever…yes, this WNBA season is already shaping up to be a wild one. The preview of what the season could look like started with preseason games. But along with the excitement, preseason also brings something a little more brutal: the dreaded wave of roster cuts. Thanks to salary cap rules and the tiny number of available roster spots, almost 50% of rookies, even the first round picks, don’t make it to the opening night roster.
Teams can bring about 18 to 21 players into training camp, but when the season officially kicks off, they have to cut that down to just 11 or 12. Most coaches wait until after their first preseason game to make decisions, so they get at least one real look at everyone. But the Golden State Valkyries clearly had other plans. They cut Shyanne Sellers before their first preseason game.
This hit hard because Sellers wasn’t just any rookie. She was expected to go in the first round of the 2025 Draft, but slid to No. 17, where Golden State happily scooped her up. Then… cut. Just like that. Luckily, the Atlanta Dream wasted no time and grabbed her off waivers. So, she’s still in the game. But this just goes to show how wild and unpredictable this time of year is.
For many rookies and unproven players, preseason is their only real chance to show teams they belong. Take Indiana, for example. Unfortunately, not everyone made the final cut. Clark’s Fever just waived 30-year-old Jillian Alleyne and, not long after, let go of Bree Hall, the No. 20 overall pick from this year’s draft. But to be fair, Indiana’s got serious depth this year. However, while draft picks are falling left and right, one undrafted rookie is low-key making a serious case to stay.
DEJA KELLY WINS IT FOR THE @LVAces AFTER SCORING 4 CONSECUTIVE BUCKETS AT THE END OF REGULATION! pic.twitter.com/DlMkufZgvl
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 7, 2025
You might remember Deja Kelly from her days at Oregon and North Carolina, where she had a habit of showing up in the biggest moments. Well, she just added another clutch performance to her resume—this time, wearing a Las Vegas Aces jersey.
The Aces were cruising early, but then Phoenix came out swinging in the third quarter and took control. But, Las Vegas was able to come back from a 64-54 deficit. Then Kelly decided it was her time. She knocked down back-to-back threes with just 24 seconds left on the clock. Phoenix hit a layup to grab the lead, but Kelly said not today. She hit another triple—her fourth straight bucket—to win the game for Vegas, 85-84.
She dropped 15 points in just 13 minutes, with two assists to boot. And honestly, with that kind of performance, it’s hard to imagine her not making the final roster. Fans definitely think she’s earned her spot.
Fans believe Deja Kelly has earned her roster spot
One fan said, “Deja Kelly has done more than enough @LVAces y’all know what to do,” and that’s becoming more true with each performance. She absolutely owned the recent game but let’s not forget that even in her previous game against Dallas, Kelly made an impact, putting up 9 points in just 7 minutes.She’s definitely proved her mettle in both games, and you can bet Coach Becky Hammon is paying attention. I mean, Hammon herself is one of the biggest success stories of undrafted players. After being undrafted out of Colorado State in 1999, Hammon went on to have a 16-year WNBA career, with 6 All-Star selections and even leading the league in assists in 2007. So, if anyone knows how to recognize talent, it’s her.
Fans just couldn’t get over Kelly’s buzzer-beater as one wrote, “Just saw Deja Kelly buzzer beater that spot most definitely hers ” It had the entire Aces bench shouting and cheering. But honestly, it’s not surprising. She’s done it before. Remember when she hit a game-winning shot on the road against Penn State earlier this season? Or when she sunk two clutch free throws to beat rival Washington? This is just what Kelly does. She has consistently delivered when it matters most.
This whole “undrafted” thing has baffled a lot of people. “Now I bet not go to sleep and wake up and find out she was waived. The “UNDRAFTED” Deja Kelly… has sealed the deal!” Many within the women’s basketball community were shocked when Kelly wasn’t selected in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Sure, she didn’t have the same numbers in her final year at Oregon, but her history as a versatile scorer at North Carolina should’ve been enough to show her potential.
Yet, even after going undrafted, Kelly found a home with the Aces, who signed her to a training camp contract just days after the draft ended. That decision seems to be paying off. Still, many people are still scratching their heads about how teams could’ve passed on Kelly in the draft. “How Deja Kelly went undrafted is beyond me. I would be kicking myself if I were a team that didn’t pick her up,” a user penned.
Mar 22, 2024; Columbia, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Courtney Banghart speaks with guard Deja Kelly (25) against the Michigan State Spartans in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Well, this ties into a bigger issue with roster expansion. The official cap is 12 players, which is getting tight with all the talent flooding the league. With salary cap constraints, most teams roll with 11 players, meaning some tough decisions have to be made. It only adds to the conversation around roster expansion and the CBA. Here’s to hoping that the new CBA brings some positive changes for future talent.
For the time being, coach Hammon must really be in a tough spot. “Deja Kelly 15 pts in 13mins. Becky has some hard choices to make. Whew” Given the salary cap issues, the Aces may only carry 11 players into the regular season. While they’ve waived Jordyn Jenkins and Megan Gustafson is out with an ACL injury, they’ve still got rookies like Aaliyah Nye, Elizabeth Kitley, and Harmoni Turner. And Nye has also delivered in a big way, dropping 17 against the Wings. So, Coach Hammon is definitely facing some hard choices here.
Let’s see who finally makes the roster and if Deja joins her coach in the list of next undrafted heroes.
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