AMARI KELLY

POSITION:  Forward

HEIGHT:  6-9 (206 cm)

WEIGHT:  235 lbs (107 kg)

BIRTHDATE:  August 24, 1999 (Roosevelt, NY)

HIGH SCHOOL:  Meadowcreek High School (Norcross, GA)

UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE:  George Mason University (2024)

HOW ACQUIRED:  Signed as free agent on May 9, 2025

YEARS PRO:  1

BIO

PROFESSIONAL CAREER 


Entering the season averaging 11.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 28.1 minutes in 34 games playing professionally in Turkey and the NBA Summer League.


2024-25: Averaged 11.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 28.5 minutes in 33 games for Fenerbahce 2 in Turkey … Ranked first on his team in rebounds per game, and field goal percentage (.570), second in points per game, blocks per game (0.7) and field goals made (114), and third in minutes per game (28.5) … Finished the season posting his professional career-high 25 points along with eight assists, two blocks, and one steal April 19 vs. Ankaragucu … Recorded five double-doubles on the season including a 17-point (8-for-10 shooting), 11-rebound outing January 25 vs. Sigortam.net … Scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds December 29 vs. Konya BBSK … Put up his first of three 20-point games after registering 23 points and eight rebounds November 9 vs. Gaziantep … Started the season strong with 14 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, and three blocks September 14 vs. Konya BBSK.


2024: Recorded four points, five rebounds, and 16 minutes in one game with the New York Knicks at NBA Summer League July 20 vs. the Atlanta Hawks.



UNIVERSITY / COLLEGE CAREER 


Averaged 5.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 17.6 minutes in 145 games during a five-year collegiate career at George Mason University, the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and Duquesne University.


2023-24: Transferred to George Mason University … Averaged 12.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 28.6 minutes in 31 games as a senior … Showed his versatility after leading the Patriots in both blocks per game, and three-point percentage (.431) … Put up 14 points, five rebounds, and four blocks in final collegiate game March 13 vs. St. Joseph’s … Dropped 19 points with career-high three three-pointers, and six rebounds February 24 vs. Loyola … Recorded 17 points, nine rebounds, while blocking four shots January 27 vs. URI … Secured a monster double-double with career-high 24 points on 8-for-10 shooting from the field and 6-for-7 from the charity stripe, 10 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks December 2 vs. Toledo … Had a 11-point, 11-rebound performance along with one assist, steal, and block November 29 vs. NJIT … In his first game with the Patriots, registered 17 points (6-for-9), eight rebounds, and three blocks November 6 vs. Monmouth.


2022-23: Averaged 8.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, and 22.8 minutes in 36 games for the Seahawks … Put up 10+ points in nine games including a season-high 16 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks in the CAA Tournament finals March 7 vs. Charleston … Scored 14 points on four-for-four shooting and grabbed seven rebounds February 11 vs. Northeastern … Did it all February 2 vs. NC A&T with 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and one steal … Posted his first career double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds (career-high) to go with two blocks and three steals January 16 vs. Elon … Recorded 15 points with seven made free throws, seven rebounds, and two assists January 4 vs. Elon … Had a 14-point, seven-rebound performance while shooting a perfect 7-for-7 from the field in only 15 minutes November 11 vs. Allen.


2021-22: Transferred to the University of North Carolina Wilmington … Averaged 2.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, and 12.2 minutes in 37 games as a junior … Scored a season-high 14 points on 6-for-8 shooting and seven rebounds February 26 vs. Delaware … Posted seven points and six rebounds January 24 vs. Northeastern … Recorded eight points (4-for-4), six rebounds, two assists, and two blocks November 12 vs. Guilford.


2020-21: Averaged 2.5 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 7.9 minutes in 14 games for the Dukes … Dropped 13 points on 6-for-7 shooting with five rebounds January 2 vs. GWU.


2019-20: Did not play due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


2018-19: Averaged 2.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 10.6 minutes in 29 games as a freshman with Duquesne … Scored 11 points and grabbed four rebounds January 9 vs. Fordham … Swatted career-high four shots and picked up three rebounds November 30 vs. Pittsburgh.


PERSONAL


Amari Kelly’s (AK) greatest accomplishment is being a father of two boys … He studied criminology throughout his collegiate career … He got into basketball after making a deal with his mother that if he would play football, he also had to play basketball and ended up choosing the latter … His favourite artist is Lil Uzi Vert, his favourite movie is Friday, and he likes to play video games and spend time with his family … His passion is to lead and inspire others.


By Christian Bastasin-Diodati May 27, 2025
The Brampton Honey Badgers get back on the road to Alberta to play the Edmonton Stingers in their first leg of a back-to-back. They currently sit at 0-3 on the season after losing their home opener to the Scarborough Shooting Stars. As the early stages of the regular season continue for the Brampton Honey Badgers, they still find themselves in need of a win early in the season. Going up against the Edmonton Stingers, a team they are 2-3 in away matches all-time and beating them on the road in 2022, they have a great opportunity to get their first win of the season. Last year the Edmonton Stingers and Brampton Honey Badgers were on different ends of the spectrum in terms of record. The Stingers were top-three in the CEBL, finishing 13-7 before losing in the quarter finals to Calgary in the Battle of Alberta. Brampton however, finished the season 6-14 and missed out on Championship Weekend for the second straight year since winning their first Championship since 2022. When the two teams met for the only time in 2024, Edmonton beat Brampton 99-79. There were however, a couple areas in which the Brampton Honey Badgers got the better of the Stingers, such as in free throws made per game with 16.1 which ranked third in the league last year, while the Stingers ranked last at only 12.2. The Honey Badgers were also much better in blocking shots last year when compared to the Stingers. Brampton was ranked second in blocked shots per game with 4.7, tied with the Vancouver Bandits, while the Stingers were last in the league averaging only 2.4. But the past is the past. This year both teams have struggled early on in the season. Brampton is still searching for a win in the season after losing their first two road games to Montreal and Ottawa and their home opener to Scarborough. Brampton is starting to get healthy however, Quinndary Weatherspoon made his season debut in the game versus Ottawa putting up 29 points, one rebound, seven assists and three steals. Brampton-native David Muenkat also made his highly-anticipated debut in Brampton’s game against Scarborough putting up six points and 11 rebounds. However the team is still waiting for Ali Sow and Jaylan Gainey to join the roster. However, for Head Coach Sheldon Cassimy, the players playing is not the only thing that needs to change if Brampton is to turn the season around. “I don’t think our effort has been up to par. We’ve been getting hit first. You know we responded in the second quarter and through the rest of the game, but we have to do that in the first quarter so we don’t dig ourselves such a big hole.” Cassimy said, detailing his initial impressions after Brampton’s loss to Scarborough at home. “We just have to toughen up a little bit. That’s what we did in the second quarter and that’s what we have to continue to do,” Cassimy continued. The Stingers have not been great to start the season also. They lost their last game to the Vancouver Bandits in an absolute blowout 107-79, with Edmonton’s all-time leading scorer Nick Hornsby calling for improvements. “I feel like a lot of the stuff was on us. Like I said they’re a good team, they run their plays well, they’re physical and do the things we need to do to win,” Hornsby said following the defeat. Things will be different when the two teams meet this year. Brampton has made several free agency signings including former George Mason University big man Amari Kelly, who has posted double-doubles in three games this season as one of the Honey Badger’s starting forwards. The Honey Badgers also signed guard William Douglas to add to their already deep backcourt. The two signings that garner the most attention are that of former NBA Champion and Chinese Basketball Association star guard, Quinndary Weatherspoon and former Brampton Honey Badger and 2024 Canadian Player of the Year and CEBL Champion Koby McEwen. Weatherspoon is currently averaging 18.5 points, 6.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in two games with the Honey Badgers. McEwen is averaging 16.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game in three games with the Honey Badgers. Together, they will pose problems to an Edmonton team that has struggled at stopping opposing guards. Edmonton’s own free agency signings will prove to be an interesting matchup as well. Newly signed Sean East II has been a revelation at guard averaging 22.8 points per game (leading the CEBL in total points with 91), 5.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game, all while shooting 50.7% from the field and 94% from the free throw line. Another free agency signing that has impressed has been Cameron McGriff, with the former Portland Trail Blazer recording 12.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. The Stingers forward and CEBL rookie Keon Ambrose-Hylton has also been a bright spot, posting 11.5 points, 9.5 rebounds,and 1.5 blocks per game, providing a steady presence in the paint to complement East and McGriff. He will be going against Brampton’s all-time leading rebounder Prince Oduro in a battle of the bigs. Overall, it looks to be a fun game as the Honey Badgers hit the road to dive into the Hornet's nest in search of their first win of the campaign on May 28 vs the Edmonton Stingers. They then travel to Calgary to play the Surge on May 29. You can watch the Honey Badgers take on the Stingers on CEBL+ , TSN+ and NLSE. ### About the Brampton Honey Badgers One of the original franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the 2022 CEBL Champion Brampton Honey Badgers proudly call the CAA Centre home. The Brampton front office and basketball operations department bring NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. With a vision of promoting Brampton grassroots basketball and local businesses through community and corporate engagement, the Honey Badgers will leverage the explosion of basketball as a vehicle for innovation and change. For more information visit honeybadgers.ca . About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 73% of its rosters being Canadian and more than 10 players with NBA game experience in 2025. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. More than 20 players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by Tonybet, TSN, TSN+, RDS , Game+ and Next Level Sports & Entertainment . More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube . Media Contact: Elias Eldridge - Account Executive & Communications Specialist Brampton Honey Badgers eeldridge@honeybadgers.ca
By Zulfi Sheikh May 26, 2025
The Scarborough Shooting Stars (1-0) opened their campaign on a high note, picking up a 90-76 win on Sunday to spoil the Brampton Honey Badgers' (0-3) home debut. Donovon Williams spearheaded the winning effort, finishing with a team-high 19 points along with six rebounds and two steals. The import guard picked up where he left off last season when his 17.7 points per game were top 10 in the CEBL. Behind Williams was another pair of Scarborough returnees in Jaden Campbell and Danilo Djuricic, who each scored 12 points. Meanwhile, CEBL debutant Yuri Collins added 13 points (including the game-winner), six assists and three steals. The still-winless Honey Badgers were led by Koby McEwen, as the reigning Canadian Player of the Year racked up a game-high 22 points to go with three assists and three steals. Rounding out Brampton’s double-digit scoring efforts was the frontcourt pair of Prince Oduro (14 points, 10 rebounds) and Amari Kelly (10 points, 12 rebounds), who each chipped in double-doubles. Quinndary Weatherspoon — coming off a stellar 29-point debut — struggled as he finished with 10 points on 4-of-15 shooting with six rebounds and three turnovers. The Shooting Stars came out flying to start their season, carving out a double-digit lead in less than seven minutes. Scarborough led 29-13 after the first quarter thanks to a pair of 7-0 runs and some overwhelming defence. Donovan Williams led that charge, bookending the first of those runs with a triple and a transition slam. Meanwhile, their ball pressure forced six Honey Badgers’ turnovers (for 10 points) while Scarborough held Brampton to just 6-of-22 shooting from the field in the first 10 minutes. Ball security has become a recurring concern for the Honey Badgers this season, their 19.7 turnovers per game are tops in the CEBL. Brampton finished the contest with 16 giveaways, which led to 23 extra points for Scarborough (plus-eight). The runs didn’t stop there as the Shooting Stars went on a 16-0 run between the end of the first and start of the second, their lead growing as large as 23 points in the first half. The Honey Badgers did respond, however, ending the second quarter on a 17-4 run that brought their deficit to 44-34 at the break. Brampton's turnaround came in part thanks to the interior effort of Oduro, who racked up nine rebounds (five offensive) in the first 20 minutes to go with eight points. The Honey Badgers' veteran spearheaded a 28-21 rebounding edge for Brampton at halftime. The Honey Badgers chipped into the lead even more in the third as they cut the deficit to as low as six points, but couldn’t bring it closer as back-to-back triples from Williams and David Walker kept the Shooting Stars ahead 64-55 by the end of the frame. Proficiency from distance appears to be a strength for the team yet again, after leading the CEBL with 12.7 three-point makes per game in 2024. The Shooting Stars finished Sunday’s win with 12 made triples on a 35 per cent clip, a touch below their 36.8 conversion rate from last season. Scarborough’s momentum kept up from there as it began the fourth on an 8-2 run en route to an 80-70 lead when Target Score time got underway. The Shooting Stars' defence did the heavy lifting from there, holding the Honey Badgers to just one made field goal in the closing stretch, before Collins called his own number and nailed a stepback jumper from the left elbow to walk away victorious. Box Score https://www.cebl.ca/game?id=2600576 Up next The Shooting Stars now prepare for their home-opener on Tuesday as they’ll host the Ottawa BlackJacks — it’ll be Scarborough’s second of three games in five days. Meanwhile, the Honey Badgers start a two-game road trip on Wednesday by visiting the 1-3 Edmonton Stingers. Next CEBL action Sunday’s triple-header slate continues with the 1-1 Winnipeg Sea Bears visiting the 2-1 Calgary Surge for their home-opener (4 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. local), followed by the 1-0 Montreal Alliance hosting the 1-1 BlackJacks in the first-ever 5x5 outdoor professional basketball game in Canada (7:30 p.m. ET). For the full 2025 CEBL schedule and up-to-date results, please visit cebl.ca/games . ### About the Brampton Honey Badgers One of the original franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the 2022 CEBL Champion Brampton Honey Badgers proudly call the CAA Centre home. The Brampton front office and basketball operations department bring NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. With a vision of promoting Brampton grassroots basketball and local businesses through community and corporate engagement, the Honey Badgers will leverage the explosion of basketball as a vehicle for innovation and change. For more information visit honeybadgers.ca . About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 73% of its rosters being Canadian and more than 10 players with NBA game experience in 2025. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. More than 20 players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by Tonybet, TSN, TSN+, RDS , Game+ and Next Level Sports & Entertainment . More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube . Media Contact: Elias Eldridge - Account Executive & Communications Specialist Brampton Honey Badgers eeldridge@honeybadgers.ca
By Elias Eldridge May 24, 2025
The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Saturday that 6ixBuzz TV has agreed to an official partnership with the organization ahead of their 2025 home opener Sunday, May 25 vs the Scarborough Shooting Stars. With this partnership, the Honey Badgers will rep 6ixBuzz TV on their jerseys throughout the 2025 season. Brampton fans can also expect to see Honey Badgers content on 6ixBuzz TV’s social media accounts going forward. “We are excited to welcome 6ixBuzz TV to our team as official partners for the 2025 season,” said Honey Badgers Director of Partnerships and Development Andrew Rocha. “It’s rare you get an opportunity to work with a media group of 6ixBuzz TV’s prominence. Their influence on Canadian media is undeniable and we look forward to providing each other with new opportunities.” 6ixBuzz TV boasts a massive following on social media, currently sitting at 2.4 million on Instagram, 744.6 thousand on TikTok, and 150.1 thousand on X. You can follow them on all platforms @6ixbuzztv. “This is an opportunity that we are very proud to be taking advantage of,” said 6ixBuzz TV Co-Founder Sarman Esagholian. “We are very excited to join the Honey Badgers and take part in a league that is growing at an exponential rate across Canada. We’ve been keeping a close eye on the CEBL for years now looking to get involved, and getting the chance to do so in Brampton could not have worked out any better.” With the 2025 season on the horizon, Honey Badgers fans can get excited for what is in store for the third season of professional basketball at the CAA Centre. Honey Badgers season tickets and other ticket packages are available now at honeybadgers.ca/tickets . ### About the Brampton Honey Badgers One of the original franchises of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL), the 2022 CEBL Champion Brampton Honey Badgers proudly call the CAA Centre home. The Brampton front office and basketball operations department bring NBA, NBA G League, national team, NCAA and major international pro league experience to the franchise. With a vision of promoting Brampton grassroots basketball and local businesses through community and corporate engagement, the Honey Badgers will leverage the explosion of basketball as a vehicle for innovation and change. For more information visit honeybadgers.ca . About the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) A league created by Canadians for Canadians with a mission to develop Canadian players, coaches, sports executives, and referees, the CEBL boasts the highest percentage of Canadian players of any pro league in the country with 73% of its rosters being Canadian and more than 10 players with NBA game experience in 2025. Players also bring experience from the NBA G League, top international pro leagues, the Canadian National team program, NCAA programs, as well as U SPORTS and CCAA. More than 20 players have signed NBA contracts following a CEBL season, and numerous CEBL players attend NBA G League training camps every year. The CEBL season runs from May through August with games broadcast live on CEBL+ powered by Tonybet, TSN, TSN+, RDS , Game+ and Next Level Sports & Entertainment . More information about the CEBL is available at CEBL.ca and @cebleague on Instagram , Twitter , TikTok , LinkedIn , Facebook & YouTube . About 6ixBuzz TV Over its eight-year journey, 6ixbuzztv has evolved into a Canadian media powerhouse, renowned for its cultural, news, and entertainment coverage with a primary focus on Toronto. By forging strategic partnerships, producing original content, exploring music ventures, supporting non-profit initiatives, and acquiring social channels, we are expanding across North America. Our ambition is to redefine Canada's media landscape and surpass long-standing industry giants. Media Contact: Elias Eldridge - Account Executive & Communications Specialist Brampton Honey Badgers eeldridge@honeybadgers.ca



PROFESSIONAL STATISTICS **BEFORE 2025 CEBL SEASON

Totals

Year Team G MIN PTS 2FGP 3FGP FT RO RD RT AS PF BS ST TO
2024-25 Fenerbahce 2 (Turkey) 33 939 393 114-200 34-98 63-98 70 149 219 50 66 22 21 63
2024 New York Knicks (NBA Summer League 1 16 4 2-3 0-0 0-0 3 2 5 0 0 0 0 1
Totals 34 955 397 116-203 34-98 63-98 73 151 224 50 66 22 21 64

Averages

Year Team G MIN PTS 2FGP 3FGP FT RO RD RT AS PF BS ST TO
2024-25 Fenerbahce 2 (Turkey) 33 28.5 11.9 0.570 0.347 0.643 2.1 4.5 6.6 1.5 2.0 0.7 0.6 1.9
2024 New York Knicks (NBA Summer League 1 16.0 4.0 0.667 0.000 0.000 3.0 2.0 5.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0
Totals 34 28.1 11.7 0.571 0.347 0.643 2.1 4.4 6.6 1.5 1.9 0.6 0.6 1.9

COLLEGIATE STATISTICS

Totals

Year Team G MIN PTS 2FGP 3FGP FT RO RD RT AS PF BS ST TO
2023-24 George Mason 31 886 378 115-196 25-58 73-96 67 127 194 34 96 40 14 73
2022-23 UNC Wilmington 34 792 265 100-168 4-12 53-82 77 110 187 25 107 34 27 58
2021-22 UNC Wilmington 37 451 102 45-87 0-2 12-21 56 48 104 8 77 36 14 20
2020-21 Duquesne 14 111 35 16-32 1-3 0-1 10 10 20 0 22 4 2 9
2018-19 Duquesne 29 308 60 27-55 1-8 3-10 29 31 60 9 65 20 7 32
Totals 145 2548 840 314-551 31-83 141-212 239 326 565 76 367 134 64 192

Averages

Year Team G MIN PTS 2FGP 3FGP FT RO RD RT AS PF BS ST TO
2023-24 George Mason 31 28.6 12.2 0.587 0.431 0.760 2.2 4.1 6.3 1.1 3.1 1.3 0.5 2.4
2022-23 UNC Wilmington 34 23.3 7.8 0.595 0.333 0.646 2.3 3.2 5.5 0.7 3.1 1.0 0.8 1.7
2021-22 UNC Wilmington 37 12.2 2.8 0.517 0.000 0.571 1.5 1.3 2.8 0.2 2.1 1.0 0.4 0.5
2020-21 Duquesne 14 7.9 2.5 0.500 0.333 0.000 0.7 0.7 1.4 0.0 1.6 0.3 0.1 0.6
2018-19 Duquesne 29 10.6 2.1 0.491 0.125 0.300 1.0 1.1 2.1 0.3 2.2 0.7 0.2 1.1
Totals 145 17.6 5.8 0.570 0.373 0.665 1.6 2.2 3.9 0.5 2.5 0.9 0.4 1.3