Gervais basketball alumnus Kylor Kelley signs with Los Angeles Lakers

Former Gervais boys basketball standout Kylor Kelley has traveled the world in pursuit of his professional basketball aspirations. His latest stop will have him shoulder-to-shoulder with the NBA's all-time leading scorer LeBron James.

Kelley signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, Aug. 14. Terms of the contract were not released by the Lakers. The 7-footer inked the deal after spending last season with the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League, being named to the NBA G League All-Defensive Team and finishing as the league leader in rejections per game.

Kelley appeared in 29 games for the Celtics last year, averaging 8.4 points on 68.6% shooting from the field, 6.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.9 blocks in 22.1 minutes.

The 26-year-old most recently played for the Oklahoma City Thunder's 2024 Summer League team. Kelley has played internationally in Canada, Denmark and England, and has suited up in 64 career NBA G League games, posting averages of 7.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.9 blocks in 17.5 minutes.

After he set multiple program records with the Cougars, Kelley played collegiately at Northwest Christian University (now known as Bushnell University), Lane Community College and Oregon State University. He made multiple Pac-12 All-Defensive Teams with the Beavers and finished first in the conference and second nationally in blocks per game his senior year. Kelley ended his career at OSU as the program's all-time leader in blocks after competing in just two seasons.