Kelly Olynyk is considered by many league general managers to be the biggest steal of the National Basketball Association Draft this summer, where he was chosen 13 overall.
Image Credit: Boston Celtics
October 26, 2013 - 9:06 AM
KAMLOOPS – In a few short months Kelly Olynyk has come a long way, travelling across the country to leave his college team in Washington behind for Beantown. After a hectic summer league and preseason, he is ready to make his regular season debut in the National Basketball Association this week.
The seven-foot basketball star was an all-star for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. He made it onto the cover of Sports Illustrated and then was chosen 13th overall in the NBA draft this summer. He has been catching the eyes of many in the NBA following a strong showing in the summer league and during the preseason run.
In a recent survey of league general managers, Olynyk was named the biggest steal of the draft with more than a quarter of the votes. The GM's also fest he is the fifth most likely to be the rookie that will be the best player in five years.
Olynyk has not been putting up spectacular numbers just yet, but he has been near the top for time played and rebounds for the Celtics. He has sunk half of his 70 shots and put up 36 rebounds in 185 minutes over eight preseason games. The team won only two of those games.
The Celtics have been having a rough start and many are considering it a rebuilding year for the team. Olynyk is one of six rookies on the team while another four players have less than four years experience in the league.
Regular season play begins Wednesday when Olynyk and the Celtics travel to Toronto, where Olynyk began his basketball career as a child before moving to Kamloops in middle school. On Friday the Celtics will take on the Milwaukee Bucks. That game will be broadcast at South Kamloops Secondary.
Olynik's alma-mater will be hosting the event as a fundraiser for prostate cancer (through the Movember campaign) and as a way for staff, students, alumni and basketball fans to pay tribute to the Kamloops product. Doors will open at 3:45 p.m. and the game starts at 4:30 p.m. The event will include, games, videos, prizes and a concession.
To contact a reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca, call (250)819-3723 or tweet @JennStahn.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013