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Carolina senior guard Deja Kelly and the United States made it clear Saturday why the Americans are favored to win the FIBA AmeriCup. Kelly started at point guard and collected nine points, three rebounds and four assists as a balanced USA team rolled to an 80–54 victory Saturday over Venezuela in the opener for both teams at Domo de la Feria in León, Mexico, 250 miles northwest of Mexico City.
Senior Carolina guard Deja Kelly and the United States team begin play Saturday at the FIBA AmeriCup in León, Mexico. Some of the most talented college players in the country will seek the USA’s third consecutive gold medal in the 10-team event.
North Carolina’s women will play host to perennial power South Carolina and the UNC men’s team will be at home against Tennessee in the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge.
Coach Courtney Banghart is already off to a good start in trying to lure the best of the Class of 2026 to Carolina after evidently liking what she saw when she traveled to Mérida, Mexico, for the FIBA Women’s U16 Americas Championship. Banghart was there for the start of the event to support five-star guard Lanie Grant, her only Class of 2025 commit, and recruit. Since the American team won the gold medal on Monday, news of Carolina scholarship offers for three of Grant’s USA teammates in the Class of 2026, all five-stars, has been posted on Twitter.
Star Carolina guard Deja Kelly is headed to Mexico to represent her country. USA Basketball named Kelly on Thursday to one of the last four spots on the U.S. team that will play in the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup starting July 1 in León, Mexico, 250 miles northwest of Mexico City.
Five-star Carolina commitment Lanie Grant scored in double figures for the second straight night and the third time in the tournament as the United States easily upended Canada for its fourth consecutive gold medal at the FIBA Women’s U16 Americas Championship.
Hubert Davis has made a point to hire a coaching staff of Carolina alums, figuring there are many advantages, particularly on the recruiting trail. Who better to convince an athlete to play and study at UNC than a coach who did just that? With recent hirings, more head coaches on campus will have that advantage.
Argentina was helpless to stop the United States and a gritty effort from future Tar Heel Lanie Grant.
The five-star Carolina commitment in the Class of 2025 scored more than a point a minute as the Americans coasted into the championship game of the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, with a 112–48 semifinal victory over Argentina for their 23rd consecutive win in the competition.
Future Tar Heel Lanie Grant dished out a game-high six assists as the United States moved one win away from a likely championship-game clash with Canada with another blowout victory at the FIBA U16 Women’s Americas Championship in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.
In addition to UNC playing UConn in the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase, the Tar Heels will play in an eight-team tournament with Iowa and star Caitlin Clark. The Tar Heels are one of eight teams in the Gulf Coast Showcase, a tournament that will reportedly include UNC, Iowa and Kansas State. The tournament hasn’t announced its field, so the other five teams for the event aren’t known yet.
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