Pallacanestro Trieste has landed a major signing that once again underscores the club’s ambitions for the final part of the season. With the team already positioned for the upcoming LBA playoffs, Kylor Kelley will wear the biancorosso jersey through the end of the current season.
A 7-foot (213 cm) center born in 1997, Kelley brings to Trieste a story of perseverance and elite specialization that has taken him all the way to the world’s most prestigious stage, the NBA.
“We are incredibly excited about Kylor’s arrival!” commented Club President and Owner Paul Matiasic. “I have had the pleasure of watching Kylor’s basketball growth for some time, including in person, as I was present during a match that he played in the NBA just a few months ago. It is not common for a player to finish out the finish out the regular season in the NBA, and then head to Italy to help propel a team through the playoffs.” “Kylor’s signing signals our different approach and is a testament to the extreme level of commitment and significant resources I have decided to dedicate to achieving something unprecedented in Trieste. We want to compete at the highest level, game after game, with the clear and never-hidden ambition to excel both in Italy and in Europe. Every week I meet with our technical and managerial staff to assess what we can do to improve. It’s work often done quietly, behind the scenes, without grand pronouncements, but it is concrete and, most importantly, built on tangible results. Every effort is aimed at one single, major goal: to win. Winning means achieving the highest possible success, on and off the court. We aim to continue to make Trieste proud of our team, to ensure that every citizen feels part of a reality that is not only big and ambitious but also deeply credible and solid.”
“As we prepare for the playoff season, we are extremely enthusiastic about the opportunity to add a player of Kylor’s caliber to our roster.” – stated General Manager Michael Arcieri – “The rim presence and vertical spacing that he offers perfectly complement the élite rebounding, energy and activity of Jayce as well as the floor spacing, ball movement and perimeter shooting of Candu. As the pace will slow and the physicality will rise in these upcoming weeks, our ability to protect the paint, rebound the ball and force opponents to do the same has never been more critical. Kylor’s growth each year, including his experiences in Europe, the G-League and NBA this season, is extremely noteworthy. And his character, integrity and work ethic make him a seamless fit for our locker room and entire organization. We are thrilled to have Kylor in our Red & White and welcome him and his family with our warmest Trieste embrace.
I’d like to take this occasion to acknowledge and thank both Daniele Cavaliero, our Director of Global Scouting, and Tobia Collina, our Advanced Scout, who have been following Kylor since the G-League Showcase (Orlando, FL) in December. Their efforts and expertise have been an invaluable resource for our team, and are greatly appreciated. Lastly, on behalf of our team and entire organization, I’d like to express our infinite gratitude to our owner, Paul Matiasic, whose passionate and unwavering commitment to our team and city is inspirational, especially now at this most exciting juncture of the season.”
Starting from a small high school in Oregon, Kelley navigated through various levels of college basketball, from an NAIA program to a community college, and finally to the prestigious Pac-12 conference with Oregon State. There, he left an indelible mark, becoming the conference leader and finishing second nationally in blocks for two consecutive years. During his two seasons at Oregon State, he averaged 3.4 blocks per game and holds the school records for blocks in a single season (107) and career (211). His defensive performances earned him two selections to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team.
Despite not being selected in the 2020 NBA Draft, Kelley embarked on a professional journey that saw him feature in various leagues and continents, demonstrating great adaptability and determination. He played in the NBA G League with teams like the Austin Spurs, Raptors 905, Maine Celtics, and South Bay Lakers, establishing himself as a high-level defensive specialist. In the 2023-24 season with the Maine Celtics, he was named to the NBA G League All-Defensive Team and led the league in blocks with an average of 2.9 per game.
Kelley also had significant international experiences, playing in the British Basketball League (BBL) with the London Lions, where he was named to the BBL Defensive Team of the Year and led the league in blocks with 2.9 per game. He also had brief stints in Denmark with the Bakken Bears and in Canada in the CEBL with the Calgary Surge, reaching the league finals.
His perseverance was rewarded in the 2024-25 season with his arrival in the NBA, where he played 11 games between the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans. With the Mavericks, he recorded a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds, starting in the game against Cleveland, in one of his 8 appearances.
Kylor Kelley’s technical characteristics are well-defined: he is an elite rim protector. With a wingspan of 7’3″ (221 cm), exceptional timing, and the ability to use both hands, Kelley is a true intimidator in the paint. His high field goal percentages, such as the 66.9% maintained with the South Bay Lakers in the G League, attest to his efficiency as a finisher near the basket, making the most of alley-oops and pick-and-rolls. Added to this is his ability to run the floor well despite his size, which makes him effective in transition as well.
Pallacanestro Trieste welcomes a player with a history of constant growth and a first-rate defensive specialization, who will be a fundamental added value for the team as it competes in the upcoming playoffs.
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