Kelly Olynyk

Olynyk is a Canadian center whose NBA career has spanned more than a decade and multiple franchises since he was drafted 13th overall in 2013. Known for his shooting touch, playmaking vision, and international leadership, he has played for the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz, Toronto Raptors, New Orleans Pelicans, and San Antonio Spurs.

Born Kelly Tyler Olynyk on April 19, 1991, in Toronto, Ontario, he played for the Scarborough Blues alongside future NBA player Cory Joseph. He moved to Kamloops, British Columbia, in seventh grade and attended South Kamloops Secondary School, where he grew from 6'3 to 6'10 in grade 11. He led the Titans to a 36-2 record and a third-place finish at the provincial championships. He chose Gonzaga for college basketball.

At Gonzaga, Olynyk was mostly a bench player as a freshman and sophomore. He redshirted his junior year to improve his strength and game. He returned for the 2012-13 season and was named a consensus first-team All-American and Academic All-American. He declared for the 2013 NBA draft.

The Dallas Mavericks selected Olynyk with the 13th overall pick and traded him to the Boston Celtics. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2014. He later played for Miami, where he helped the team reach the 2020 NBA Finals, and has also suited up for Houston, Detroit, Utah, Toronto, New Orleans, and San Antonio. He is the captain of the Canada national team.

Olynyk is a versatile center with a soft shooting touch, three-point range, and playmaking vision unusual for his size. He scores on pick-and-pops, post-ups, and face-up jumpers, and he uses his size to set screens and find open cutters. His offensive versatility and international experience make him a valuable rotation big.

Olynyk enters each season as a veteran center with more than a decade of NBA experience and multiple franchise tenures. His trajectory from a Canadian high school to a Gonzaga standout, a first-round pick, and a national team captain reflects shooting development, basketball IQ, and a commitment to adapting his game at every level.