The Converge FiberXers have a reloaded lineup thanks to a couple of big trades heading into the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. And now, they’ve brought in someone with NBA experience in Kylor Kelley to be the lynchpin of what could potentially be a serious contender in the league’s midseason tourney.
Kylor Kelley, the Athletic Rim Runner and Elite Shot Blocker
Already with the twin towers of Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar, Converge adds a third tower in Kylor Kelley, who looks every bit the 7-footer he is listed as. In his time at Northwest Christian University at the NAIA level, Kelley flashed his immense athleticism, putting up 8.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 blocks per game, highlighted by a 10-block effort. He ultimately ended up at Oregon State University for a taste of US NCAA Division I action and averaged 11.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.45 blocks in his senior year.
However, Kelley went undrafted in the 2020 NBA Draft, eventually starting a pro career that has taken him to the G League, overseas, the NBA, and abroad again. He notably signed a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks in 2025 and a 10-day contract with the New Orleans Pelicans that same year. In all, he played 11 games in the big league and wound up averaging 3.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 11 minutes per contest.
Aside from his G League and NBA experience, Kylor Kelley has also had stops with the Baken Bears in the Danish Basketligaen in Denmark, the Calgary Surge in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, and the Pallacanestro Trieste in the Italian Lega Basket Serie A.
Kylor Kelley Could Be Missing Piece
There’s no question Converge is talent-laden with Juan Gomez de Liaño, Arana, Baltazar, and Alec Stockton, reinforced by veteran Calvin Abueva and rising wings Jonnel Policarpio and James Kwekuteye. That’s a lot of firepower, too, which makes Kylor Kelley a seamless fit with his rim protection and elite defense.
With Kelley anchoring the interior, Converge’s guards can step up the pressure on the perimeter, while Arana and Baltazar could focus on playing power forward exclusively. On offense, the 28-year-old center’s explosive rim-running should make him a potent pick-and-roll partner of both JGDL and Stockton, who’ll likely rack up dimes throwing lobs to Kelley.
What’s scary is that Kylor Kelley is already showing synergy with the FiberXers and seems to have settled in nicely with the up-and-coming franchise.
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