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.

After finishing fifth with a 13-15 record and losing to New Zealand in the NBL24 play-in qualifier, Sydney replaced Mahmoud Abdelfattah with returning head coach Brian Goorjian. Angus Glover (to South East Melbourne), Jordan Hunter (to South East Melbourne), Jonah Bolden (to New Zealand), Jackson Makoi (to Cairns), Sam Timmins (to Japan), DJ Hogg (to Japan) and Denzel Valentine (to Italy) departed, while Goorjian added Xavier Cooks (via Chiba Jets), Cameron Oliver (via Zhejiang), Bul Kuol (via Cairns), Izayah Le’Afa (via New Zealand), Keli Leaupepe (via Loyola Marymount), Tyler Robertson (via Portland) and Jason Spurgin (via Bowling Green), with Jaylin Galloway (via Milwaukee) also returning before the season.

Leaupepe became Sydney’s first signing of the NBL25 free-agency period, agreeing to a three-year deal with the final season containing a team option after spending five years at Loyola Marymount. The Melbourne product had attracted offers from several NBL clubs before returning for his final college season, having produced a career-best 13.3 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 43.6% from three during 2022/23. His strength, rebounding and improving outside shot made him one of the most sought-after Australians entering the professional ranks.

“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,” Leaupepe said 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.”

Sydney opened NBL25 at RAC Arena during HoopsFest on September 22, where Leaupepe (5 points and 5 rebounds) started in his professional debut and supplied several effort plays as the Kings defeated Adelaide 102-94. Adams (25 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals) and Cooks (19 points and 13 rebounds) led Sydney, while Lat Mayen (23 points and 4 rebounds) was Adelaide’s leading scorer.

Leaupepe (6.3 points and 4.1 rebounds across 19 games) started 14 times and became Sydney’s physical forward and small-ball centre, using his strength to defend multiple positions, set hard screens and attack the offensive glass. His physicality and energy during games and at training saw him embrace the role of the Kings’ enforcer during his rookie season.

His best scoring game came in Brisbane on October 5, where Leaupepe (22 points and 3 rebounds) made nine of 13 field goals and two three-pointers in just 15:44 as Sydney defeated the Bullets 91-82. Cooks (23 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals) and Toohey (11 points) provided support, while Casey Prather (17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals) led Brisbane, with Leaupepe setting a Kings record for the fewest minutes played while scoring at least 20 points.

Leaupepe’s best all-round performance came against Illawarra on Christmas night, finishing with 14 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 assists as Sydney fell 111-108 at Qudos Bank Arena. Toohey (25 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Noi (24 points and 9 rebounds) led the Kings offensively, while Trey Kell III (26 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists) was Illawarra’s best.

A hamstring injury suffered late in December ruled Leaupepe out for Sydney’s final nine regular-season games. He was scheduled to be re-evaluated following Round 20 but did not recover for the play-in, while the Kings attempted to add Lamonte Turner (via Serbia) in January before his contract was voided after he failed the club physical.

Adams (17.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.6 steals across 26 games) and Cooks (15.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.3 blocks across 28 games) carried Sydney’s offence, with Cooks selected to the All-NBL Second Team. Noi (14.8 points and 3.1 rebounds across 27 games) won the NBL Best Sixth Man award and Sydney’s Most Valuable Player, while Oliver (12 points and 7 rebounds across 29 games), Toohey (10.6 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals across 29 games), Kuol (5.8 points across 24 games) and Galloway (5.4 points across 10 games) were the other Kings above five points per game.

Toohey also received the NBL Next Generation Award and Sydney’s Members Play of the Year, Robertson (3.5 points across 21 games) won the NBL Three-Pointer of the Year, Kuol was named Sydney’s Defensive Player of the Year, Maluach (3.4 points across 20 games) received the Michael Wrublewski Coaches Award and Bruce (4 points across 27 games) was named Players’ Player and Laurie Watterson Club Person of the Year. Leaupepe received the Hardest Working Player Award as Sydney finished fifth with a 16-13 record.

Without Leaupepe, Sydney hosted Adelaide in the elimination play-in at Qudos Bank Arena on February 13, where Adams (30 points and 10 assists) and Oliver (19 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks) led the Kings. Vasiljevic (25 points and 2 steals), Davis (24 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals) and Harrell (18 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks) carried Adelaide to a 95-88 win.

2025/26
Missed the entire 2025/26 season due to suffering an ACL injury during the pre-season.

Keli Leaupepe played one season in the NBL. He averaged 6.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 19 NBL games.