Thomas Kelati
Encyclopedia
Thomas Kelati is a US
-born Polish
professional basketball
player of Eritrea
n heritage who is currently playing for BC Khimki in the Russian Superleague
. In 2010 he gained Polish
citizenship through his wife and is eligible to play on the Poland national basketball team
in international competition. He is a 1.96 meters (6 ft 5 in) tall and plays both shooting guard
and small forward
.
club Dexia Mons-Hainaut
. He then moved to the Polish League team Turów Zgorzelec
in 2006 (two runner-ups in Polish league, reached the final round in the ULEB Eurocup). In 2008, he joined the Spanish ACB League club Unicaja Málaga.
In 2009, he signed a two year contract with the Greek A1 League
club Olympiacos Piraeus
. However, his contract was later canceled by the club before Kelati played even a single minute for them, due to him not passing his physical and medical exams. Olympiacos replaced him on their roster with Von Wafer
.
As a free agent, Kelati then signed with the Los Angeles Lakers
as a training camp invitee on September 30, 2009. but was later waived. Then he played for Power Electronics Valencia for whom he signed after being waived from the Los Angeles Lakers. In 2010 he won the ULEB Eurocup playing for the Power Electronics Valencia. On July 23, 2010 he signed a two-year deal with BC Khimki.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-born Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player of Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
n heritage who is currently playing for BC Khimki in the Russian Superleague
Russian Basketball Super League
The Russian Basketball SuperLeague is a men's professional basketball league that was the pre-eminent league of Russian professional basketball until 2010...
. In 2010 he gained Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
citizenship through his wife and is eligible to play on the Poland national basketball team
Poland national basketball team
The Polish national basketball team is the national basketball side that represents Poland in international competitions. It is administrated by the Polski Związek Koszykówki...
in international competition. He is a 1.96 meters (6 ft 5 in) tall and plays both shooting guard
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
and small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
.
Pro career
Kelati began his professional career in 2005 with the Belgian LeagueBasketball League Belgium
The Basketball League Belgium , also known as the Ligue Ethias or Ethias League, is the highest professional basketball league in Belgium.-Teams:* Antwerp Giants* Belgacom Liège Basket* Dexia Mons-Hainaut* Generali Okapi Aalstar...
club Dexia Mons-Hainaut
Dexia Mons-Hainaut
Dexia Mons-Hainaut is a Belgian professional basketball club that is based in Mons, Wallonia. The club competes in the highest division of the Belgian League. The club's home arena is Mons Arena.-History:...
. He then moved to the Polish League team Turów Zgorzelec
Turów Zgorzelec
PGE Turów Zgorzelec is a Polish professional basketball team that is based in Zgorzelec. The club plays in the Polska Liga Koszykówki and the Eurocup. The club's home court is Centrum Sportowe .- History :...
in 2006 (two runner-ups in Polish league, reached the final round in the ULEB Eurocup). In 2008, he joined the Spanish ACB League club Unicaja Málaga.
In 2009, he signed a two year contract with the Greek A1 League
A1 Ethniki
The Greek Basket League , commonly referred to as the Greek Basketball League or Greek Basketball Championship, is the highest professional basketball league in Greece. It is run by HEBA...
club Olympiacos Piraeus
Olympiacos BC
Olympiacos B.C. , also known simply as Olympiacos and Olympiacos Piraeus, is a Greek professional basketball club, part of Olympiacos CFP, based in Piraeus. The basketball club, founded in 1931, is one of the most successful in Greece and a traditional powerhouse in European competitions...
. However, his contract was later canceled by the club before Kelati played even a single minute for them, due to him not passing his physical and medical exams. Olympiacos replaced him on their roster with Von Wafer
Von Wafer
Vakeaton Quamar Wafer , commonly referred to as Von Wafer, is an American professional basketball player who plays with Vanoli Cremona of the Lega Basket....
.
As a free agent, Kelati then signed with the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
as a training camp invitee on September 30, 2009. but was later waived. Then he played for Power Electronics Valencia for whom he signed after being waived from the Los Angeles Lakers. In 2010 he won the ULEB Eurocup playing for the Power Electronics Valencia. On July 23, 2010 he signed a two-year deal with BC Khimki.