Kelly Olynyk

Kelly Tyler Olynyk (/oʊˈlɪnɪk/ oh-LIN-ik; born April 19, 1991) is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs, where he earned NCAA All-American honours in 2013.

Kelly Olynyk
Olynyk with Canada in 2023
No. 41 – Utah Jazz
PositionPower forward / center
LeagueNBA
Personal information
Born (1991-04-19) April 19, 1991
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight240 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High schoolSouth Kamloops
(Kamloops, British Columbia)
CollegeGonzaga (2009–2013)
NBA draft2013: 1st round, 13th overall pick
Selected by the Dallas Mavericks
Playing career2013–present
Career history
2013–2017Boston Celtics
2017–2021Miami Heat
2021Houston Rockets
2021–2022Detroit Pistons
2022–presentUtah Jazz
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats  at Basketball-Reference.com
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Canada
FIBA World Cup
Bronze medal – third place2023 Philippines–Japan–Indonesia
FIBA AmeriCup
Bronze medal – third place2015 Mexico City

After forgoing his senior year of college basketball, Olynyk was selected with the 13th overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2013 NBA draft, before being immediately traded to the Boston Celtics. In July 2017, he signed with the Miami Heat, with whom he reached the NBA Finals in 2020. In March 2021, Olynyk was traded to the Houston Rockets. He signed with the Pistons in August of the same year. He was traded to the Utah Jazz in 2022.

He also plays for the Canadian national team.

Early life

Olynyk was born in Toronto, where he started playing basketball at an early age. He and fellow future NBA player Cory Joseph were both on a Scarborough Blues club team that rarely lost in the late 1990s and early 2000s. One defeat came against rival Toronto 5–0, led by Stephen Curry.[1] Olynyk moved to Kamloops, British Columbia when he was in grade 7.[2]

High school career

Olynyk did not attend a high school or prep school in the United States; he instead stayed home at South Kamloops Secondary School, exposing himself to U.S. competition and coaches while playing on provincial teams – competing at Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and non-AAU tournaments in the States – and the Canadian junior national team. He attended St. Mary's Secondary in Hamilton, Ontario while playing for Canada's National program[3] Olynyk developed as a point guard, continuing to play the position even after growing from 6'3" (1.90 m) to 6'10" (2.08 m) in grade 11.[3] Olynyk was heavily recruited out of high school by the likes of Syracuse, Providence and North Carolina State. He chose Gonzaga in part so he could play closer to home.[2]

Olynyk was named the Basketball BC outstanding high school player of the year in his grade 12 year, leading his South Kamloops Titans to a 36–2 record and a third-place finish at the BC AAA High School Boys' Basketball Championships.[4]

Olynyk was also a quarterback for the Titans when he was in high school and broke his arm during a playoff game in 2007.[4]

College career
Olynyk at Gonzaga.

Olynyk played college basketball at Gonzaga from 2009 to 2013. He was mostly a bench player for the Bulldogs in his freshman and sophomore years, averaging around 12 to 13 minutes per game. In order to improve his game and get stronger, Gonzaga and Olynyk agreed that he would redshirt his junior year (2011–12), meaning he would practice with the team, but not play.

Olynyk returned to the Bulldogs lineup for the first game of the 2012–13 season, and had a great season, being selected as a Consensus First-Team All-American, as well as to the 2012–13 Academic All-America first team.[5] Following the 2012–13 season he opted for the NBA draft, thereby forgoing his senior year of eligibility (though by that time he had already received his bachelor's degree in accounting).[6][7]

Professional career

Boston Celtics (2013–2017)

In a draft-night swap, Olynyk was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the 13th overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft and then traded to the Boston Celtics for the rights to Lucas Nogueira and two future second round picks.[8] On July 7, 2013, Olynyk signed his rookie scale contract with the Celtics.[9] Olynyk was selected alongside teammate Jared Sullinger on Team Webber for the 2014 Rising Stars Challenge.[10] After averaging 8.7 points and 5.2 rebounds in 70 games in 2013–14, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie second team.

On October 29, 2014, the Celtics exercised their third-year team option on Olynyk's rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2015–16 season.[11] On December 15, 2014, he scored a career-high 30 points in a 105–87 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.[12] On January 22, 2015, he injured his ankle after landing on the foot of Thomas Robinson in the fourth quarter of the Celtics' 90–89 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. After being projected to return soon after the All-Star break, Olynyk didn't show signs of being ready to return, and subsequently missed 18 games. He returned to action on March 4 against the Utah Jazz. In game 4 of the first round 2015 NBA playoffs, while grappling, he injured Kevin Love's shoulder against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Love did not play the rest of the 2015 playoffs.[13]

Olynyk missed the Celtics' 2015–16 season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 28 after being suspended for his role in Kevin Love's left shoulder injury during the 2015 playoffs.[14] Two days later, the Celtics exercised their fourth-year team option on Olynyk's rookie scale contract, extending the contract through the 2016–17 season.[15] On December 11, 2015, he scored a season-high 28 points in a 124–119 double overtime loss to the Golden State Warriors.[16] On March 16, 2016, he returned to action for the Celtics after missing the previous 12 games with an injured right shoulder.[17]

Olynyk missed the first six games of the 2016–17 season after undergoing right shoulder surgery in May 2016, and subsequently spent a day with the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League in early November.[18] He made his season debut for the Celtics on November 9, 2016, playing 25 minutes and scoring two points in a 118–93 loss to the Washington Wizards.[19] On January 13, 2017, he set a new season high with 26 points in a 103–101 win over the Atlanta Hawks.[20] In Game 7 of Boston's second-round playoff series against the Washington Wizards on May 15, he scored 14 of his playoff career-high 26 points in the first 8:34 minutes of the fourth quarter, making five consecutive shots, to help the Celtics advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2012 with a 115–105 win and a 4–3 series victory.[21]

On July 4, 2017, after he became a restricted free agent, the Celtics renounced their rights to Olynyk, thus resulting in him becoming an unrestricted free agent.[22]

Miami Heat (2017–2021)

On July 7, 2017, Olynyk signed a four-year, $50 million contract with the Miami Heat.[23][24] In his debut for the Heat in their season opener on October 18, 2017, Olynyk scored 10 points in a 116–109 loss to the Orlando Magic.[25] On December 20, 2017, he scored a career-high 32 points in a 90–89 win over his former team, the Boston Celtics.[26] On March 19, 2018, he scored 30 points off the bench in a 149–141 double-overtime win over the Denver Nuggets, becoming the second bench player in Heat history to score 30 points.[27] Two days later, he recorded 22 points and a career-high 10 assists in a 119–98 win over the New York Knicks.[28]

On February 10, 2020, Olynyk recorded a double-double, which was 12 points and a new career-high 11 assists, along with six rebounds, one steal and one block in a 113–101 win against the Golden State Warriors.[29] Olynyk helped the Heat reach the 2020 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.

Houston Rockets (2021)

On March 25, 2021, Olynyk, Avery Bradley, and a 2022 draft pick swap were traded to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Victor Oladipo.[30] Olynyk made his debut in a win over Timberwolves on March 27, recording 16 points, four rebounds, and four assists in 25 minutes.[31] On April 27, he logged a season-high 28 points, alongside nine rebounds, five assists and two steals, in a 107–114 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.[32]

Detroit Pistons (2021–2022)

On August 6, 2021, Olynyk signed a 3-year, $37 million contract with the Detroit Pistons.[33][34] On November 10, in a 112–104 win over the Houston Rockets, he suffered a knee injury.[35] Two days later, the injury was diagnosed as a grade 2 medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain, ruling Olynyk out of action for at least six weeks.[36]

Utah Jazz (2022–present)

On September 26, 2022, Olynyk was traded, alongside Saben Lee, to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Bojan Bogdanović.[37] On October 23, Olynyk put up 20 points, alongside a game-winning layup, in a 122–121 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.[38]

National team career

On July 17, 2019, Olynyk was included on the Canadian national team's training camp roster,[39] but withdrew from the team after being injured in an exhibition game with Nigeria on August 7.[40]

On May 24, 2022, Olynyk agreed to a three-year commitment to play with the Canadian senior men's national team.[41]

Career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2013–14 Boston 70920.0.466.351.8115.21.6.5.48.7
2014–15 Boston 641322.2.475.349.6844.71.71.0.610.3
2015–16 Boston 69820.2.455.405.7504.11.5.8.510.0
2016–17 Boston 75620.5.512.354.7324.82.0.6.49.0
2017–18 Miami 762223.4.497.379.7705.72.7.8.511.5
2018–19 Miami 793622.9.463.354.8224.71.8.7.510.0
2019–20 Miami 67919.4.462.406.8604.61.7.7.38.2
2020–21 Miami 433826.9.431.317.7756.12.1.9.610.0
Houston 272431.1.545.392.8358.44.11.4.619.0
2021–22 Detroit 40119.1.448.336.7754.42.8.8.59.1
2022–23 Utah 686828.6.499.394.8536.23.7.9.512.5
Career 67823422.6.478.368.7945.22.2.8.510.3

Playoffs
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2015 Boston 4013.3.538.500.5001.3.5.5.54.5
2016 Boston 408.0.111.000–1.0.8.3.0.5
2017 Boston 18219.2.512.319.7333.21.9.7.89.2
2018 Miami 5029.2.477.421.7004.63.81.41.212.8
2020 Miami 17015.2.474.347.8214.61.1.2.57.6
Career 48217.4.483.347.7503.51.6.6.67.9

College
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2009–10 Gonzaga 34012.3.500.222.5962.70.80.50.13.8
2010–11 Gonzaga 35413.5.574.444.6183.80.70.30.15.8
2011–12 Gonzaga Redshirt Redshirt
2012–13 Gonzaga 322726.4.629.300.7767.31.70.71.117.8
Career 1013117.2.594.333.7094.61.10.50.58.9

Personal life

Olynyk's father, Ken, was head men's basketball coach at the University of Toronto from 1989 to 2002 and the Canadian junior men's national team from 1983 to 1996, notably cutting future Canadian basketball icon Steve Nash from the junior national team.[3] His mother, Arlene, was a Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS; now U Sports) women's basketball referee.[3] From 1995 to 2004, his mother worked for the Toronto Raptors, as the first female NBA scorekeeper.[42] In 2003,[43] Ken became the athletic director at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia, with the rest of the family soon joining him in Kamloops.[3] Olynyk has two sisters, Jesse and Maya; the latter played CIS basketball for the Saskatchewan Huskies. Olynyk's family is of Ukrainian origin.[44]

See also

References
  1. Ebner, David (August 28, 2015). "Canada's quest for elite basketball status begins in Toronto". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  2. Geranios, Nicholas K. (January 15, 2013). "Kelly Olynyk emerges as star for No. 8 Gonzaga men's basketball team". Toronto Star. Retrieved January 15, 2013.
  3. Anderson, Kelli (March 18, 2013). "Canada's Got Talent". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  4. "Kelly Olynyk Biography". GoZags.com. Archived from the original on May 22, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. "Olynyk Named To Capital One Academic All-America Team". GoZags.com. February 21, 2013. Archived from the original on October 31, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  6. "Kelly Olynyk Announces Plans To Enter NBA Draft Early". GoZags.com. April 19, 2013. Archived from the original on February 2, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2013.
  7. Auerbach, Nicole (April 19, 2013). "Gonzaga's Kelly Olynyk declares for NBA draft after breakout year". USA Today. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  8. "Celtics Acquire Olynyk, Iverson". National Basketball Association. June 28, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  9. "Celtics Sign Olynyk". National Basketball Association. July 7, 2013. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  10. "Hometown star Davis is top pick for BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge". National Basketball Association. February 6, 2014. Archived from the original on November 8, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
  11. "Celtics Exercise Options on Olynyk, Sullinger and Zeller". National Basketball Association. October 29, 2014. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  12. Bracy, Aaron (December 16, 2014). "Olynyk scores 30 in Celtics' 105–87 win over 76ers". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on December 27, 2014. Retrieved December 16, 2014.
  13. Washburn, Gary (March 5, 2015). "Kelly Olynyk (ankle) returns after 18-game absence". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  14. "Celtics' Kelly Olynyk: Suspended for season opener". CBSSports.com. October 28, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  15. "Celtics Exercise Options on Smart, Young & Olynyk". National Basketball Association. October 30, 2015. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  16. Golen, Jimmy (December 12, 2015). "Curry, Warriors beat Boston 124–119 in 2OT, improve to 24–0". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  17. Powtak, Ken (March 16, 2016). "Durant's 28 points leads Thunder to 130–109 win over Celtics". National Basketball Association. Archived from the original on March 17, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  18. Boston Celtics (November 4, 2016). "Kelly Olynyk & Demetrius Jackson were assigned..." Retrieved January 14, 2017 – via Twitter.
  19. "Porter scores career-best 34 as Wizards rout Celtics 118–93". ESPN. November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  20. "Thomas steadies Celtics, Horford triumphant in return home". ESPN. January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
  21. "Celtics power past Wizards in Game 7, 115–105". ESPN. May 15, 2017. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  22. "Report: Celtics allow Canadian Kelly Olynyk to become free agent". SportsNet.ca. July 4, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  23. "HEAT Signs Kelly Olynyk". National Basketball Association. July 7, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  24. McKenna, Henry (July 6, 2017). "REPORT: KELLY OLYNYK, HEAT AGREE TO 3-YEAR, $90 MILLION DEAL". csnne.com. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  25. "Fournier, Magic hold off Heat 116–109 in opener". ESPN. October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  26. "Olynyk scores career-high 32 for Heat in return to Boston". ESPN. December 20, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  27. "Stats system crashes in Miami as Heat top Nuggets in double overtime". ESPN. March 19, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  28. "Olynyk's big night helps Heat past Knicks, 119–98". ESPN. March 21, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  29. "Kelly Olynyk dishes out season-high 11 assists in win". FantasyPros.com. February 11, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  30. "Rockets Complete Trade with Miami". National Basketball Association. March 25, 2021.
  31. "Rockets' Kelly Olynyk: Scores 16 in Rockets debut". CBSSports.com. March 28, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  32. "TIMBERWOLVES BEAT ROCKETS 114–107 FOR THIRD STRAIGHT WIN". National Basketball Association. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  33. "Detroit Pistons Sign Free Agents Kelly Olynyk, Trey Lyles and Restricted Free Agent Saben Lee". National Basketball Association. August 6, 2021.
  34. "Report: Pistons signing Kelly Olynyk for three years, $37 million". NBC Sports. August 2, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  35. "Grant has season-high 35 points, Pistons top Rockets 112–104". ESPN. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  36. "Pistons' Kelly Olynyk out at Least 6 Weeks with Knee Injury Diagnosed as MCL Sprain". Bleacher Report. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  37. Treasure, Angie (September 26, 2022). "Utah Jazz Acquire Kelly Olynyk, Saben Lee, and Cash Considerations". National Basketball Association. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  38. Villas, Rexwell (October 23, 2022). "Jazz's Kelly Olynyk stuns Pelicans with OT game-winner". ClutchPoints. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  39. "Barrett, Murray, Olynyk and Thompson headline Canada's preliminary squad for World Cup". fiba.basketball. July 17, 2019. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  40. "Kelly Olynyk Injury Update". National Basketball Association. August 14, 2019. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  41. "FOURTEEN ATHLETES COMMITTED TO REPRESENT CANADA AS SENIOR MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM SUMMER CORE REVEALED". Canada Basketball. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  42. Arlene Olynyk, the first female NBA scorekeeper, reflects on 25 years of Toronto Raptors basketball, retrieved January 14, 2021
  43. "Athletics History". Thompson Rivers University. Archived from the original on April 18, 2015. Retrieved March 23, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  44. Orlando, Aaron (March 28, 2013). "Kelly Olynyk family, sports success rooted in Revelstoke". revelstokereview.com. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
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