Kylor Kelley has played basketball in a lot of remote basketball outposts.
London for the British Basketball League Lions, Mississauga outside of Toronto for the Raptors 905 G League team. Maine for another G League gig. He even played in Austin, but not for the University of Texas.
It was with the Austin Spurs, San Antonio’s minor-league club.
But until Monday night, the 7-foot Kelley had never played in an NBA game.
That all changed when he checked into the Mavericks’ blowout win over the Washington Wizards with 7:37 left in the fourth quarter.
That capped what Kelley described as “a crazy 24 hours,” after signing a two-way contract with the center-shy Mavericks.
“I was getting ready for practice (Sunday with the South Bay Lakers of the G League), getting treatment and my agent called me up and said: when’s you’re next game. I said: probably Tuesday or Wednesday,” Kelley said. “He said: nah, you’re getting picked up by the Dallas Mavericks.
“It was mind-blowing. I was speechless for about two minutes. I had to call all my family and friends. It’s been a crazy 24 hours. This was out of the blue.”
Kelley’s NBA experience before Monday consisted of a grand total of six preseason minutes in a game that wasn’t even played at an NBA arena.
He had four points and an assist off the bench for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 4 at the Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif.
That was before being waived by the Lakers and ending up with the South Bay Lakers of the G League. In the 2023-24 season, he was named to G League all-defensive team after leading that circuit with 2.9 blocks per game.
And on Monday, a four-year process since he left Oregon State in 2021, reached a new milepost.
“It’s been a long four years, a long journey for sure,” Kelley said. “A couple years overseas helped mature my body and my mental (side). The last couple years in the G League I’ve gotten better, so I think this is a testament to that.”
The Mavericks, like every other NBA team, scout the G League relentlessly and coach Jason Kidd put a matter-of-fact spin on the circuit that is mostly dominated by guard and wing players.
“He’s a big,” Kidd said. “There’s not a lot of them to choose from. That’s why we chose him. He’s a big that can help.”
And while his time Monday could only be described as mop-up duty, he was active on the floor and clearly moved like an NBA center. He snagged his first NBA rebound less than a minute after entering the game. And his first point in the league came from the free-throw line with 5:03 remaining.
He would finish with four rebounds, in addition to his single point, which was enough to get him the game ball and a bottled-water shower from his new teammates in the locker room after the Mavericks’ 130-108 win.
Kelley described his skill set like this:
“High motor. High energy guy. A 7-footer that runs the floor well. And protect the rim, block shots and set good screens.”
And you have to love his honesty. When he was asked about the range on his shot, he said: “It’s always a work in progress.”
Kelley spent his first day as a Maverick learning the playbook at both ends of the floor and “getting the lingo down.”
It was a crash course to get up to speed since the injury situation has left the Mavericks with only Gafford as a healthy legitimate center. Dereck Lively II (ankle), Maxi Kleber (foot) and Dwight Powell (hip) all are out.
“A lot of our guys are hurt. You just have to stay ready,” Kelley said, echoing what every G Leaguer has been taught. “Yeah, it’s always been about ‘stay ready’ for me. For anybody else in the G League, I’d say stay ready because you never know when you’re going to get called.”
Kelley grew up in Oregon and was a Portland Trail Blazers’ fan. But he never really had a favorite player or patterned himself after anybody in particular, he said.
But he’s confident he can bring what the Mavericks need – roll well to the basket, set good screens and be a paint presence.
All right in Kelley’s wheelhouse.
Respected in the District: Daniel Gafford was a well-liked member of the Washington Wizards before he was traded to the Mavericks last season.
He’s still popular with at least one member of the Wizards.
“I really enjoyed my time with Daniel – first, he’s a real high quality human, a really special person,” coach Brian Keefe said. “His rim protection, his ability to roll. He’s got great hands and can finish. I’m happy for his success down here.”
Gafford continues to garner the heavy share of the center minutes with all the injuries, something that isn’t likely to change soon.
“When he looks at the injuries, he’s just trying to do everything he can to help the team, rebounding, scoring, blocking shots, playing a lot of minutes,” Kidd said. “And we need that. He’s up for the task. Look at his availability, I think he’s only missed two (games).”
Injury rundown: Luka Dončić remains sidelined with his left calf strain.
Several other Mavericks are not close to returning, either: Dereck Lively II (stress fracture, ankle), Maxi Kleber (fractured foot) and Dante Exum (right wrist surgery).
But at least one other of the injured Mavs may be closing in on a return. Said Kidd of Naji Marshall, who has been out with an illness: “He’s doing good. He feels better. Hopefully he’ll do some work (Monday night) and he’s trending up and hopefully he can go on the trip.”
The Mavericks’ season-long five-game trip starts Wednesday in New Orleans. Dwight Powell (hip) also remains out.
X: @ESefko
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