Kylor Kelley Explained

Kylor Kelley
Position:Power forward / center
Height Ft:7
Height In:0
Weight Lb:215
League:NBA
Team:Los Angeles Lakers
Birth Date:26 August 1997
Birth Place:Logan, Utah, U.S.
High School:Gervais (Gervais, Oregon)
College:
Draft Year:2020
Career Start:2021
Years1:2021
Team1:Austin Spurs
Years2:2021–2022
Team2:London Lions
Years3:2022
Team3:Bakken Bears
Years4:2022–2023
Team4:Austin Spurs
Years5:2023
Team5:Raptors 905
Years6:2023
Team6:Salem Capitals
Years7:2023–2024
Team7:Maine Celtics
Years8:–present
Team8:Los Angeles Lakers
Highlights:

Kylor Kelley (born August 26, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Oregon State Beavers.

Early life and high school career

Kelley grew up playing basketball under the coaching of his mother, a former high school player.[1] At age six or seven, he moved with his mother and brother from Utah to Oregon, after his parents split.[2] Kelley played three years of varsity basketball for Gervais High School in Gervais, Oregon.[3] While attending Gervais, he grew from 6'1 to 7'0 but did not weigh more than 185 pounds.[4] As a senior, Kelley averaged 15.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, 7.8 blocks and 2.4 assists per game and was named PacWest Player of the Year. He set the school's career, single-season and single-game records for blocks.[5] Kelley did not qualify to play for most four-year colleges. As a result, he had no NCAA Division I offers out of high school.[4]

College career

Kelley began playing college basketball for Northwest Christian University. As a freshman, Kelley averaged 8.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 blocks per game and set a school single-game record with 10 blocks against Southern Oregon.[6] After 10 games, he was dismissed from Bushnell. Kelley transferred to Lane Community College, where he received more Division I interest as a result. In his sophomore season, he averaged 9.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game and was a Northwest Athletic Conference All-Defensive Team selection.[7]

At Lane CC, Kelley was recruited by multiple Pac-12 programs and chose to continue his career at Oregon State because he wanted to stay close to home.[8] On December 17, 2018, as a junior at Oregon State, Kelley tallied a school-record nine blocks, to go with 10 points and nine rebounds, in an 82–67 victory over Pepperdine.[9] By the end of the season, he ranked second in the nation, led the Pac-12 and set a school record with 3.35 blocks per game. He also averaged 7.7 points and five rebounds per game and was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team.[10] On December 18, 2019, as a senior, Kelley posted a season-high 23 points, six rebounds and three blocks in an 88–78 win over UTSA.[11] He became Oregon State's all-time leader in blocks in a January 30, 2020 victory over Stanford, during which he posted 10 points, seven blocks and six rebounds.[12] Kelley finished his senior season averaging 11.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.45 blocks per game, earning Pac-12 All-Defensive Team honors for a second time. He averaged the second-most blocks per game in the nation and led the Pac-12 in that category.[13] Despite the Pac-12 Tournament being cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, Kelley finished with 211 blocks in two years at Oregon State.[14]

Professional career

Austin Spurs (2021)

After going undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft, on December 11, 2020, Kelley was reported to had signed with the San Antonio Spurs and subsequently waived by the San Antonio Spurs.[15] Kelley was included in the roster of Austin Spurs.[16]

London Lions (2021–2022)

On July 21, 2021, Kelley signed with the London Lions for the 2021–22 BBL season.[17] [18]

Bakken Bears (2022)

Since 2022, he has been with Bakken Bears of the Champions League and the Danish Basketligaen.

Return to Austin (2022–2023)

On December 20, 2022, Kelley was reacquired by the Austin Spurs.[19]

Raptors 905 (2023)

On January 5, 2023, Kelley was acquired by the Raptors 905.[20]

Calgary Surge (2023)

On May 12, 2023, Kelley signed with the Calgary Surge of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.[21]

Maine Celtics (2023–2024)

On October 3, 2023, Kelley signed with the Boston Celtics, but was waived the next day.[22] On October 28, he joined the Maine Celtics.[23]

Los Angeles Lakers (2024–present)

On August 14, 2024, Kelley signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.[24]

Personal life

Kelley's father, Jeff, played college basketball for Boise State. His mother, Shandel Howell, had intended to play the same sport for Utah State before its women's program was cut by the university.[4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bennett . Brian . Look, Mom, all smiles! Kylor Kelley works through severe dental issues to become Oregon State's top shot-blocker . . June 17, 2020 . February 4, 2019.
  2. Web site: Meek . Austin . Oregon State's Kylor Kelley took a winding road to OSU record book . . June 17, 2020 . December 24, 2018.
  3. Web site: Sowa . Jesse . OSU men's basketball: Kylor Kelley has left his mark as a shot-blocker . . June 17, 2020 . February 7, 2020.
  4. Web site: Daschel . Nick . For Oregon State 7-footer Kylor Kelley, it's now books before blocks . . June 17, 2020 . January 23, 2019.
  5. Web site: Horowitz . Gary . Gervais product Kylor Kelley hopes to make impact at OSU . . June 17, 2020 . November 3, 2018.
  6. Web site: His story is a mouthful . . June 21, 2020 . January 18, 2019.
  7. Web site: Santora . Mario . OSU basketball player Kylor Kelley credits LCC for his success on and off court . . June 21, 2020 . January 29, 2020.
  8. Web site: Akins . Brady . Oregon State's record-breaking underdog . Orange Media Network . June 21, 2020 . March 2, 2020.
  9. Web site: Daschel . Nick . Kylor Kelley's record-setting night helps Oregon State roll Pepperdine 82-67: at a glance . . June 21, 2020 . December 17, 2018.
  10. Web site: Kylor Kelley shows no intention of slowing down after shattering Oregon State's blocks record . . High School Journalism Institute . June 21, 2020 . July 20, 2019.
  11. Web site: Ethan Thompson, Kylor Kelley score 23 apiece as Oregon State men's basketball beats UTSA . . . June 21, 2020 . December 18, 2019.
  12. Web site: Kelley, Lucas Lead Beavers To Road Win Over Stanford . Oregon State University Athletics . June 21, 2020 . January 30, 2020.
  13. Web site: Kylor Kelley . Oregon State University Athletics . June 21, 2020.
  14. News: Sanchez . Orlando . Beavers big man Kylor Kelley poised for the next level . June 21, 2020 . KGW8 . May 4, 2020.
  15. Web site: Mark. Suleymanov. Spurs Sign, Waive Kylor Kelley. December 11, 2020 . hoopsrumors.com. December 12, 2020.
  16. Web site: Austin Spurs announce 2021 roster. February 1, 2021. NBA.com. February 1, 2021.
  17. Web site: Kylor Kelley confirmed to join London Lions for upcoming season. July 21, 2021. thelondonlions.com. July 21, 2021.
  18. Web site: Lions add Kylor Kelley to pack. 21 July 2021. bbl.org.uk. 21 July 2021.
  19. Web site: 2022-23 NBA G League Transactions. gleague.nba.com. December 20, 2022. December 20, 2022.
  20. Web site: 2022-23 NBA G League Transactions. gleague.nba.com. January 5, 2023. January 5, 2023.
  21. Web site: Calgary Surge Sign Kylor Kelley. CEBL.ca. May 12, 2023. May 13, 2023.
  22. Web site: Luke. Adams. Celtics Sign, Waive Kylor Kelley. HoopsRumors.com. October 5, 2023. October 6, 2023.
  23. Web site: Maine Celtics Announce Training Camp Roster. NBA.com. October 28, 2023. October 28, 2023.
  24. Web site: Los Angeles Lakers Sign Kylor Kelley and Quincy Olivari. NBA.com. August 14, 2024. August 14, 2024.