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Duncanville Pantherette Deja Kelly Named McDonald's All American

 DUNCANVILLE (CBSDFW.COM) - North Texas sports powerhouse, Duncanville is celebrating another success story after Pantherette Deja Kelly was named to the McDonald's All American Team.

"It  was really exciting," says Kelly, a 5'8" point guard. "I cried... everyone went crazy for me."​

On Friday, classmates and even community leaders came out to share in the excitement as she was presented with her honorary jersey.  Kelly joined the Duncanville team just two years ago-- and today thanked those teammates for being among her biggest supporters.​

"I was little nervous," she admits. "These girls have known each other forever! But, they were so welcoming. They treated me like their sister right away...just truly heartwarming. And I love them all."​

Kelly joins a prestigious list of McDonald's All American Team members who have gone on to stellar careers: Skylar Diggins, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Lebron James, just to name a few.  All of their journeys have one thing in common: an incredible amount of hard work.​

"There was no days off," says Kelly of the sacrifices her success required, "because if you took a day off, someone was working harder than you."​

Just 24 students for each team-- boys and girls-- are selected from among 900 nominations from across the country.  And Kelly had this to say to other young girls dreaming their own hoop dreams.​

"Keep working hard. If you want it, go get it. Keep working​
for it. It'll come."​

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