‘Leaving her footprint’: Alyssa Ustby’s Tar Heel career ends in UNC’s Sweet 16 loss to Duke

North Carolina didn’t think its season would end Friday.

Alyssa Ustby didn’t know Friday would be the last time she’d put on a Tar Heels jersey, lace up her shoes, and play alongside her teammates.

The season’s finality was, in itself, shocking.

But North Carolina’s 47-38 loss to Duke in the Sweet 16 feels less like the end of a season — that’s what the Blue Devils experienced a year ago — and more like the end of an era, the turn of a page.

Ustby, from Rochester, Minnesota, played five seasons at UNC, opting to return this winter instead of seeking professional opportunities, helping the Heels put together one of their best seasons under head coach Courtney Banghart and ending her college career among the best players in program history.

“I’ve probably put more of my identity into (my career) than I should, but I will be able to sort that out in the next couple of days, weeks, months,” Ustby said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to play at North Carolina, play for Coach Banghart for five years, seeing her every single day nearly all year long. I’m just really grateful for the experience, and I wish everybody could have such a fulfilling experience that I had.”

An elite player

Banghart, who struggled to avoid tears, said Ustby worked daily to become an elite player. As a high school recruit, Ustby wasn’t in the ESPN top 100 players for her class. Banghart trusted what she saw.

Now, Ustby leaves Chapel Hill as the only Tar Heel to record a triple-double. She recorded 1,269 rebounds to become the program’s all-time leading rebounder. She earned All-ACC honors four years in a row, and received national recognition in two seasons as a finalist for top small forward of the year.

She finished her career with 1,791 points — 12th in program history — 403 assists, 241 steals, 140 blocks and 48 double-doubles. Ustby finished with 101 games in double figures, 11 games with 20 or more points, 59 games with 10 or more rebounds and 52 games as the assists leader. She had a team-leading nine points and 10 rebounds against the Blue Devils, playing all 40 minutes.

Battling through injury

When Ustby left the court two minutes into the Tar Heels’ February matchup against N.C. State, no one knew whether she’d play again. She had tweaked something in her knee, a non-contact injury that can make any athlete cringe.

Early reports suggested a meniscus injury. Some speculated it was her ACL.

All she needed was a little time to heal. She returned 18 days later for the ACC Tournament. Banghart acknowledged before the team’s trip to Greensboro that she had held Ustby back for as long as she could, but Ustby desperately wanted to be back on the court.

“The fact that she wore Carolina across her chest, the fact that she cared about the right things; she is proof that relentlessness is a skill,” Banghart said. “I think we all think we’ll just make everybody play hard. If it was that easy, everyone would do that. Her special superpower is (that) she has a relentless quest for excellence. When all the dust settles, she will know she is leaving her footprint at a place that’s had excellence everywhere.”

‘She’s everything’

Freshman Lanie Grant, who reclassified to join the Tar Heels a year earlier than expected, said Ustby taught her how to approach the game — from her mindset and the off-court requirements to be a great player. Grant witnessed Ustby’s discipline and hard work.

Maria Gakdeng called Ustby the “heart” of the North Carolina women’s basketball team. She said Ustby strives to be a great person and player.

“She’s everything, honestly,” Gakdeng said of her fellow outgoing senior. “I’m really proud of her journey, how far she’s come and how great a player she’s become over the last five years. I can’t wait to see, like, what’s next for her.”

Ustby’s excellence rubbed off on the rest of the ACC, too. Duke guards Ashlon Jackson and Reigan Richardson spoke highly of their competitor. Jackson said Ustby brought a high motor, while Richardson called her a “beast.”

Every time Ustby steps onto the court, they know she will bring scoring at the rim, rebounding, defense and toughness that most players can’t match.

“That girl does not stop,” Jackson said. “I’m actually a big fan of hers. She doesn’t stop, whether that’s defensively or offensively. She’s a very impactful player. She does anything to make her team win. I just have to give credit where credit’s due. She’s an amazing player. She’s brought everything and more to the ACC, and I’m glad to be able to play against her these three years, because she’s grown me up a lot, too.”

“She’s elevated that program so much,” Richardson added. “She’s made that UNC community so proud. I’m just happy for her career there, and I’m excited to see what she has going into the future.”

Ustby, eyes red from tears, sat at the podium answering questions Friday afternoon; the disappointment and finality still raw.

It will take some time for her to disentangle her identity from UNC basketball and accept the ending of this chapter. When that happens, those around her say Ustby will see the impact she has made.

“I don’t think that she could ask to leave a better legacy,” Grant said. “I think there’s going to be little ‘1’ jerseys with the last name Ustby running around the gym for years to come.”

This story was originally published March 29, 2025 at 5:45 AM with the headline "‘Leaving her footprint’: Alyssa Ustby’s Tar Heel career ends in UNC’s Sweet 16 loss to Duke."

Jadyn Watson-Fisher

The News & Observer