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 Kolby Marsh June 11, 2026
The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced on Thursday that they have agreed on a partnership with Bramalea City Centre (BCC) for a fourth consecutive year. Bramalea City Centre has served as the largest shopping mall in Brampton, dating all the way back to 1973 and holds over 1.5 million square feet of retail space for its local citizens. Some stores that can be found within the mall include H&M, JD Sports, and Uniqlo. “We are thrilled to be involved with the Brampton Honey Badgers for another season,” said Bramalea City Centre Marketing Manager Nicole MacPhail. “The basketball court is not just a place to partake in sport, it is a catalyst for growth, unity and support in our community. We always jump at the opportunity to work with the Honey Badgers and support what they bring to the city.” Through this partnership, the Honey Badgers and Bramalea City Centre will come together to provide BCC shoppers with the opportunity to take in local professional basketball through giveaways, raffles, and relationship-building community donations. “The Brampton Honey Badgers are proud to welcome back Bramalea City Centre as an official partner,” said Honey Badgers CEO Al Whitley. “BCC is a cornerstone of the Brampton community, and continuing this partnership was a priority for our organization. Their commitment to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment aligns perfectly with our values, and we look forward to working together to bring that same sense of community, energy, and excitement to fans at the CAA Centre.” The 2026 season has been nothing less than an uproar of excitement for the Honey Badgers so far, starting the summer at a strong 7-2 record. To catch the hottest commodity in Brampton, make sure to check out the various ticket offers and packages, starting at $20 per ticket 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) The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is Canada’s professional basketball league, featuring 10 member clubs across six provinces. Powered by elite talent, a fast-paced game format, and deep community connections, the CEBL delivers high-level basketball and unforgettable summer experiences for fans nationwide. The league boasts the youngest fan base in Canadian professional sport, half under age 34, and one of the fastest-growing audiences in the country, now reaching nearly 4.1 million Canadians. This momentum reflects the CEBL’s ability to deliver dynamic, thrilling gameplay while connecting deeply with a new generation of fans and expanding basketball’s cultural footprint across Canada. The CEBL is where elite performance meets homegrown talent. In 2025, 17 players with NBA experience hit the court, while nearly 70% of the league’s roster was Canadian, the highest concentration of domestic talent in any professional sports league in the country. Running from May through August, the CEBL’s season is a showcase of top basketball talent and a summer hub for fast-paced, high-energy fan excitement. About Bramalea City Centre Bramalea City Centre, is the largest shopping centre in the City of Brampton, and the fourth largest in Ontario. The two-level shopping centre offers 1.5 million square feet of retail shopping space, showcasing a tenant mix of over 300 stores and services including Aritzia, Browns Shoes, H&M, JD Sports, and Sephora. Media Contact: Elias Eldridge - Account Executive & Communications Specialist Brampton Honey Badgers eeldridge@honeybadgers.ca
By Kolby Marsh June 8, 2026
The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) are still standing strong, coming off of two big wins against the Edmonton Stingers and Niagara River Lions, as they continue to hold the CEBL’s best record at seven wins and one loss (7-1). With a hefty homestand to start the season, the Honey Badgers prepared for their sixth home game of the summer, as head coach Alex Cerda made his first change to the starting lineup. Veteran big man Prince Oduro and guard Tyrese Hunter were moved to the bench, as Canadians Keon Ambrose-Hylton and Josh Omojafo were promoted to the starting five. With the rookie Omojafo getting his first opportunity as a professional starter, Cerda had no worries about how Omojafo would rise to the occasion. “I trust him as a starter,” exclaimed Cerda. “Every game he’s getting better and better, he can do a lot of different things. Regardless of starting or coming off the bench, his minutes are going to increase as the season goes on.” Cerda applauded Omojafo’s defensive presence from the start, describing his defensive performance against Vancouver Bandits star Jaelen House as “the best I’ve seen in two years”, and his impact was well known again, forcing two steals and grabbing six rebounds in 28 minutes of action. Although the bright spots were shining, it was by no means easy for Brampton to pull away, as the entire second half was even on the scoresheet. Edmonton were able to create a lot of pressure, and closed off any gaps for the Honey Badgers to score. “Overall, I think there were some mental lapses, some opportunities defensively where we just missed our assignment which we usually don’t do,” Cerda remarked. “I think a lot of our turnovers were because we were trying to make home run plays when we just needed to hit singles.” It was a dogfight of an ending in this game, eventually leading to an 86-86 tie with the target score set at 87. And with a good stop on the defensive end, it was Sean East II who came back the other way and drew a foul to sink the game-winning free throw to send the Brampton fans home happy. “It’s not always going to be cute and glamorous,” said East II, who was able to secure the win against his former team. “They fought back real hard and got it tied up, we’re just trying to pull them out one game at a time.” Referring to the toughness of this game and the CEBL season as a whole, East II revealed a teaching metaphor that has helped fuel the strong start to the Honey Badgers season. “Coach always talks about the Honey Badger in the wild,” explained East II. “It’s the craziest animal, he’s gritty, he’s nasty. So that’s the culture we’re trying to bring and embody the Honey Badger.” “On our dogtags, it says fearless and we don’t flinch,” said Cerda. “I think that’s what a Honey Badger embodies, a fearless animal that’s not scared of anyone, that’s what I want our team to embody.” The Honey Badgers then journeyed to the road for a battle in Niagara on Friday, going against the defending back-to-back champion River Lions and pulled out a 97-86 win, but not without a scare. Despite a 21-point lead going into Target Score Time and Cameron Tyson breaking the franchise-record with nine three-pointers, Niagara fought their way back and brought the game back within single digits. But thanks to one last rally, the Honey Badgers sealed the deal and were able to crawl out of the fight victorious. Along with Tyson’s record-breaking performance, he had some help from Omojafo and East II. Omojafo broke out for his best game in the CEBL with 19 points and five rebounds, while East II tallied a usual statline of 24 points, six rebounds, six assists, and four steals. And even eight games into the season, East II still believes he and his team hasn’t reached the full characteristics of the Honey Badger. “There’s always more to grow, we’re never done.” The Honey Badgers will head back to the road for a rematch with the Montreal Alliance on Wednesday in Montreal, and will then return home to prepare for round two against the River Lions on Monday, June 15. You can tune into the away contest on CBC Gem, YouTube, and CEBL+, with tipoff slated for 7:30 PM. And to catch the action back at the CAA Centre, you can view ticket packages here , with prices starting at just $20 per ticket. ### 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) The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is Canada’s professional basketball league, featuring 10 member clubs across six provinces. Powered by elite talent, a fast-paced game format, and deep community connections, the CEBL delivers high-level basketball and unforgettable summer experiences for fans nationwide. The league boasts the youngest fan base in Canadian professional sport, half under age 34, and one of the fastest-growing audiences in the country, now reaching nearly 4.1 million Canadians. This momentum reflects the CEBL’s ability to deliver dynamic, thrilling gameplay while connecting deeply with a new generation of fans and expanding basketball’s cultural footprint across Canada. The CEBL is where elite performance meets homegrown talent. In 2025, 17 players with NBA experience hit the court, while nearly 70% of the league’s roster was Canadian, the highest concentration of domestic talent in any professional sports league in the country. Running from May through August, the CEBL’s season is a showcase of top basketball talent and a summer hub for fast-paced, high-energy fan excitement. Media Contact: Elias Eldridge - Account Executive & Communications Specialist Brampton Honey Badgers eeldridge@honeybadgers.ca
By Elias Eldridge June 2, 2026
The Brampton Honey Badgers of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) announced Tuesday that renowned sports psychology and mental performance expert Dr. Don Kalkstein has joined the organization as its first-ever Director of Mental Performance. A pioneer in the field of sports psychology, Kalkstein brings more than three decades of experience working with elite athletes, coaches, and executives across professional sports. His career began with the Texas Rangers in 1995. He has since gone on to win multiple World Championships with the Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, and Dallas Mavericks - becoming widely recognized as one of the industry's foremost leaders in mental skills training, performance enhancement, and athlete wellness. “Don Kalkstein is a pioneer in his field and one of the most respected leaders in the mental performance industry,” said Honey Badgers CEO Al Whitley. “His ability to connect with athletes, executives, and team personnel while helping build winning cultures and championship mindsets is truly unmatched. We are incredibly grateful to welcome Don to the Honey Badgers family.” Most recently, Kalkstein served as Director of Sports Psychology for the Dallas Mavericks, where he spent 26 seasons helping build a culture of excellence and sustained success. He is widely credited by key members of the organization - including Mark Cuban, Dirk Nowitzki, Rick Carlisle, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, and Honey Badgers CEO Al Whitley - for his influential role in the Mavericks' 2011 NBA Championship season. “This partnership aligns directly with the vision we established from day one of my arrival in Brampton - to create the premier player experience and development infrastructure in the CEBL and beyond,” Whitley continued. “Our entire organization became stronger today, and I am both excited and humbled to be reunited with DK once again.” Kalkstein's appointment represents another significant investment in the Honey Badgers' commitment to player development, high performance, and organizational excellence as the club continues to build a championship-caliber culture on and off the court. “I’m excited to be part of the Honey Badgers family,” said Dr. Kalkstein. “This organization is committed to developing great players, great people, and a championship culture. I’m grateful for the opportunity and look forward to contributing in any way I can.” The Brampton Honey Badgers are 5-1 through the first quarter of the CEBL regular season, and it continues June 3 versus the Edmonton Stingers at the CAA Centre. Click here to get your Honey Badgers tickets today, starting at only $20 per game. ### 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) The Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) is Canada’s professional basketball league, featuring 10 member clubs across six provinces. Powered by elite talent, a fast-paced game format, and deep community connections, the CEBL delivers high-level basketball and unforgettable summer experiences for fans nationwide. The league boasts the youngest fan base in Canadian professional sport, half under age 34, and one of the fastest-growing audiences in the country, now reaching nearly 4.1 million Canadians. This momentum reflects the CEBL’s ability to deliver dynamic, thrilling gameplay while connecting deeply with a new generation of fans and expanding basketball’s cultural footprint across Canada. The CEBL is where elite performance meets homegrown talent. In 2025, 17 players with NBA experience hit the court, while nearly 70% of the league’s roster was Canadian, the highest concentration of domestic talent in any professional sports league in the country. Running from May through August, the CEBL’s season is a showcase of top basketball talent and a summer hub for fast-paced, high-energy fan excitement. 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