Donald Sloan
February 8, 2021
Obi Kyei
- Nationality: AUS/GBR
- Date of Birth: 3/12/94
- Place of Birth: Sydney (NSW)
- Position: FRD
- Height (CM): 206
- Weight (KG): 90
- Junior Assoc:
- College: Metro State University (2013-2015) / Eckerd College (2015-2017)
- NBL DEBUT: 12/10/19
- AGE AT DEBUT: 24
- LAST NBL GAME: 15/02/20
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 25
- NBL History: Adelaide 2020
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Obiri Yeboah Kyei was born in Sydney (NSW) and attended Sydney Secondary College. He played his junior basketball in New South Wales and went on to play college basketball for NCAA Division II schools Metro State and Eckerd College.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Obi Kyei made his NBL debut with the Adelaide 36ers at 24 years of age. He scored two points in his first game.
On 21 May 2019, Obi Kyei signed a two-year deal with the Adelaide 36ers, bringing his athleticism and energy to the squad. Despite high hopes, Kyei’s opportunities on the court were limited, and he played in just one game during the 2019/20 season.
In his lone appearance on December 13, 2019, against South East Melbourne Phoenix, Kyei played 13 minutes. Although he didn’t score, he contributed with 3 rebounds and made an impact defensively with 2 blocks, showcasing his hustle and presence around the rim. His efforts, though brief, reflected his readiness to contribute when given the chance.
On 29 September 2020, Kyei was granted a release by the 36ers to pursue business interests and announced his retirement from professional basketball. The extended off-season before the 2020-21 NBL season provided Kyei the opportunity to explore other career paths, and he chose to focus on diversifying his professional interests outside of the sport.
Though his on-court contributions for the 36ers were minimal, Kyei’s work ethic and positive attitude in training and games left a mark on the team. His decision to retire and focus on business ventures highlighted his adaptability and ambition beyond basketball.
Obi Kyei played in one NBL game during the 2019-20 season, scoring 0 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assists.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 25 | Adelaide | 12-16 (7) | 1 | 13.6 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0 | Totals | 1 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0.0% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 0% | 0% | 15 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 25 | Adelaide | 12-16 (7) | 1 | 13.6 | 0.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0 | Total | 1 | 13.6 | 0.0 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0% | 0% | 15 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 15 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- Sydney (2012–2013, 2024), Albury Wodonga (2017), Logan (2018, 2021–2022)
Kyei joined Sydney Comets for the 2012 Waratah League season and was named the team’s player of the year while also earning Waratah championship rookie of the year honours.
Kyei remained with Sydney Comets in 2013, continuing his early state league development before heading to the United States for college basketball.
Kyei joined Albury Wodonga for the 2017 SEABL season and had a one-game stint with the Bandits in July as a frontcourt addition.
Kyei joined Logan for the 2018 QBL season and produced 20.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game across 18 contests, with another profile from the same stint listing him at 20 minutes, 9.0 points and 2.0 assists per game before he moved on later that year.
Kyei rejoined Logan for the remainder of the 2021 NBL1 North season on 21 June 2021 and, as provided, averaged 11.2 points and 10.2 rebounds in five games, with his return coming after his earlier 2018 spell with the club. Logan reached the 2021 finals, but he missed the post-season because of COVID border restrictions.
Kyei returned to Logan for the 2022 NBL1 North season and averaged 10.1 points and 11.4 rebounds across 11 games.
Kyei joined Sydney Comets for the 2024 NBL1 East season and his strong start brought renewed NBL attention. In mid-July he earned NBL1 Player of the Week honours after posting 32 points and 13 rebounds in a win over Albury Wodonga, and during that stage of the season he was averaging 19.8 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. Sydney advanced to the NBL1 East Final 4 in 2024, and Kyei had 20 points, 10 rebounds and three steals in the semi-final loss to Manly Warringah.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Great Britain - Leeds Force (2017) | Germany - Cuxhaven BasCats (2017) | Spain - Força Lleida CE (2018–2019)
Kyei joined Cuxhaven BasCats for the 2017–18 German ProB season, playing his first season in Germany, and he played 10 games between September 23 and November 18 while averaging 11.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.9 steals.
Kyei then joined Leeds Force for the 2017–18 British Basketball League season in Great Britain, where he played two games between November 26 and December 1 and averaged 4.5 points and 5.5 rebounds.
Kyei joined Força Lleida CE for the 2018–19 LEB Oro season in Spain after signing in August 2018, and he appeared in 33 games while averaging 4.3 points and 4.0 rebounds.
COLLEGE
Obi Kyei’s NCAA run began at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver), where he worked into the rotation as a true freshman in 2013–14, playing 27 games on a team that won both the RMAC regular-season and RMAC tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament semifinals.
In 2013–14, Kyei’s contributions came in efficient, low-usage minutes, as he averaged 1.6 points and 1.1 rebounds while shooting 58.6% from the field, totaling 44 points and 30 rebounds across the season, with his first collegiate point coming at the line against West Texas A&M (Nov. 16).
He returned for 2014–15 at MSU Denver and saw an expanded role, playing 31 games with six starts, as the Roadrunners captured a share of their third straight RMAC regular-season title and reached their seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
Across 2014–15, Kyei averaged 2.2 points and 2.4 rebounds, with season totals of 67 points, 74 rebounds, 10 assists, 10 steals, and nine blocks, while also producing two double-figure scoring games during the year.
Kyei then transferred to Eckerd College and immediately became a major frontcourt piece in 2015–16, starting 31 games and finishing the season with 287 points (9.3 ppg), 230 rebounds (7.4 rpg) and 53 blocks, combining rim protection and board work with steady scoring in a heavier-minute role.
His most productive collegiate season came in 2016–17, when he started all 30 games for Eckerd and averaged 11.1 points and 8.0 rebounds, adding 80 assists, 33 steals, and 22 blocks, while shooting 49.6% from the field as Eckerd finished 21–9 overall and 13–5 in conference play.
Within that 2016–17 campaign, Kyei led Eckerd in total rebounds (239) and rebounds per game (8.0), finished among the team leaders in scoring at 334 points, and produced a high-volume interior workload that also put him at 98 made free throws on 156 attempts across the season.
A notable recognition point came during his senior year when he was named Sunshine State Conference Defensive Player of the Week (Dec. 12, 2016) after a week that included a 21-point, 13-rebound, four-block performance in a win over Saint Michael’s.
LIFE AFTER BASKETBALL
Kyei creates sustainable fashion for his label Obiri using vintage clothes and deadstock fabrics to produce new clothing. He fronted the campaign for Champion Australia's sustainable Re:Bound collection in 2021.
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