The Upshot League is about to crown its first-ever champion this Saturday, and if you haven’t been watching, you’ve been missing out big time. This isn’t just another league; it’s a critical lifeline for talent, and players like Deja Kelly are already telling everyone it’s *way* more than anyone expected, blowing past even the highest hopes.
Filling a Massive Void for Ballers
Seriously, this league is a game-changer. Former WNBA president Donna Orender, backed by Zawyer Sports and Entertainment, founded the Upshot League to fill a gaping hole in U.S. women’s basketball. Think about it: the WNBA’s roster sizes are super limited, leaving so many incredible players without a place to play team basketball, develop their skills, and actually get paid for it in the U.S. Deja Kelly, who played her college ball at Oregon and North Carolina, spent time in training camp with the Las Vegas Aces in 2025 and even worked in TV, knew that struggle firsthand. When summer hit, she wanted to keep hooping where her friends and family could watch, but options were scarce. Then the Upshot League kicked off, and Kelly signed with the Charlotte Crown. She told USA TODAY Sports that being part of something for the first time was “nerve-wracking” because it “could go either way.” But man, did it ever go the right way! Kelly said, “This is really high-level basketball. The talent level is there, so it’s really good competition every single night. That’s something that definitely exceeded my expectations.” She’s “blessed” this opportunity found her, and the organizational structure has “fallen into place,” showing the league is set to grow.
The Talent Is Off the Charts, and the Championship Is Here
The league’s inaugural season wraps up on Saturday, August 29, with Kelly’s Charlotte Crown battling the Jacksonville Waves at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. ET, and you can stream the game live, for free, on the league’s YouTube channel. Jacksonville, coached by Jessica Bogia, has been absolutely dominant, wrapping up a championship spot weeks ago with the league’s best record at 25-9. Orender herself admitted, “The quality of the competition, of the athletes, all of that is just superior to what I think we had envisioned.” Bogia’s Waves are stacked, featuring former college stars like Ariel Hearn, Shyanne Sellers, and Rennia Davis. Eight of her players even have previous WNBA experience! Bogia knows the sell for these players: “Come be seen right now. Come show the W that you’re playing, that you’re active. These are games that they can watch.” It’s not about just dropping 20 points, she says, it’s about “What else can you do? What else are you bringing to the table? Can you play defense?”
So, this Saturday, it’s not just about a trophy. It’s about a league proving its worth, giving phenomenal athletes a platform, and showing the WNBA exactly what kind of talent is out there, ready for their shot. Don’t miss it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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