Gervais High School Alum Fulfills Dream of Playing in the NBA

GERVAIS, Ore. (KATU) — The Dallas Mavericks have bolstered their roster by signing center Kylor Kelley from the South Bay Lakers of the NBA G League. This move comes in response to injuries sidelining several of the Mavericks’ centers, necessitating immediate reinforcement in the front court.

Kelley is a prime example of perseverance and dedication. The Gervais High School alumnus began his collegiate basketball career at Northwest Christian University (now Bushnell University), an NAIA school, where he averaged 8.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 blocks per game as a redshirt freshman. He later transferred to Lane Community College, posting 9.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks per game, earning a spot on the Northwest Athletic Conference All-Defensive Team. Kelley then joined Oregon State University, where he set school records for blocked shots and was named to the Pac-12 All-Defensive Team in both his junior and senior years.

Despite going undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft, Kelley’s professional journey was just beginning. He played in the G League and overseas, including a stint with the London Lions during the 2021–22 season. Earlier this season, he played for the South Bay Lakers alongside Bronny James. Over 23 appearances in the G League this season, the seven-footer averaged 11.0 points on 67.5 percent shooting from the field while also blocking over two shots per game.

Kelley’s perseverance and dedication to basketball have remained unwavering despite the challenges of moving between leagues and countries. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “I think I’ve been told my whole life that, you know, just stick with it… It was tough in the first couple of years because nothing was going right… It takes a toll on your body… on your emotions.”

Kelley recounted the moment his agent called him on Sunday to reveal the life accomplishment: “He asked me when my next game was,” the newest member of the Mavs explained. “I was like, Tuesday or Wednesday, and he’s saying, ‘Are you sure? Are you sure?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, yeah, I’m pretty sure.’ Then he said, ‘Are you sure it’s not tomorrow?’ and I’m sitting there like, ‘Pretty sure.’ Then he told me, ‘Not anymore, because you’re with Dallas now.’ I was pretty struck—I couldn’t say anything for like two minutes. I was just surprised.”

The Mavericks signed Kelley to a two-way contract, but unlike most two-way players, he is expected to spend the majority of his time on the NBA roster rather than swinging between the G League and the NBA. Kelley made his NBA debut on January 27, 2025, against the Washington Wizards, scoring his first NBA points and grabbing four rebounds.

Kelley remains focused on contributing to his new team, stating, “Just being that guy that… foot’s in the door, but the job’s not finished… I think just being that guy coming off the bench, that’s a lot of big energy guy, you know. Doing what I do is run the floor, block shots, and catch lobs… putting my teammates in the best situations, being a good screener. Just doing what I do since I started playing.”

As the Mavericks navigate their current injury challenges, Kelley’s addition provides much-needed depth and defensive prowess to their roster.