NICKNAME/S: Big Dog

BIO: Keli Leaupepe was born in Melbourne (VIC) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Bulleen basketball program.

As a teenager, Leaupepe played for Kevin Goorjian (brother of Brian) alongside fellow NBL talent Tyler Robertson at Box Hill Senior Secondary College, where together they won four straight Victorian state high scool titles.

During that time he also played for the Victorian Metropolitan state team on numerous occasions, including winning a gold medal at the 2017 under 18s national championships. That same year, he won the Australian Schools Championship with Box Hill High and represented his country at both the Albert Schweitzer Tournament and FIBA under 17s Oceania Cup – with him winning gold at the latter.

In 2018, he won the under 20 national title with Victoria and guided Australia to gold at the FIBA under 18 Asian Championship.Following the latter, he was invited to the 2018 NBA Asia-Pacific Team Camp, where he made the All-Star Team and was the MVP.

He represented Australia in the 2018 NBA Asia-Pacific Team Camp, where he made the All-Star Team and was the MVP.

NBL EXPERIENCE

Keli Leaupepe made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 24 years of age. He scored five points in his first game.

A 6’6 forward out of Melbourne – is coming off a career year at Loyola Marymount, and will be one of the most sought after Australians. There was some level of surprise that he returned to college, given the nature of some of the offers he was getting from NBL teams, but this does give Leaupepe to get some high volume reps before turning pro. Leaupepe is a physical specimen – listed at 240 lbs – who, lately, has shown off a really impressive finesse to his game, shooting it at 43.6% from downtown on good volume, while showing off an improving passing game.

“This [joining the Kings] is kind of a full-circle moment for me, as my high school coach was Kevin Goorjian, who had a lot to do with my development,” said the Leaupepe when his signing was announced.

“That’s where I actually met Goorj too, as he came down for a camp. “He’s obviously a legendary coach and to play for the Kings with him, just felt like an opportunity too good to pass up – not to mention it felt like the perfect spot for the next stage of my career.”

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Keli Leaupepe currently plays for the Sydney Kings and has played 19 games in his NBL career. He has averaged 6.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists since entering the league in 2024.

CURRENT CONTRACT:

Sydney Kings – 3 Year Deal (2024-27)

Dan Boyce (833 Posts)

Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.