Brad Williams
July 23, 2020
Kelsey Weems
- Nationality: USA
- Date of Birth: 16/09/67
- Place of Birth: Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
- Position: GRD
- Height (CM): 188
- Weight (KG): 82
- Junior Assoc: None
- College: North Carolina State (1985–1989)
- NBL DEBUT: 12/04/98
- AGE AT DEBUT: 30
- LAST NBL GAME: 12/03/99
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 31
- NBL History: Sydney 1998-99
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Kelsey Weems played high school basketball at Walker High School (now McNair High School) as a point guard. He became a key player for the team starting in his sophomore year and developed into one of the top high school prospects in the state.
As a junior, Weems averaged 13.5 points and 10 assists per game, while shooting an efficient 54% from the field. His senior season saw a significant scoring increase, as he averaged 27.8 points per game through January and finished the season with a 27.0 points per game average.
In the 4-AAA state tournament championship game against Upson, Weems delivered a near-triple-double performance, recording 32 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists. Despite his efforts, Walker High fell short, losing 90-63.
During his senior year, Weems was regarded as one of the top point guard prospects in Georgia and was nationally ranked among the best senior guards in the country.
NBL EXPERIENCE
Kelsey Weems made his NBL debut with the Sydney Kings at 30 years of age. He scored 23 points in his first game.
After a brief stint in the NBA, Shane Heal returned to the Sydney Kings in 1998. Despite having two years remaining on his contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Heal opted to leave due to limited playing time behind Stephon Marbury, the harsh winter climate, and a calf injury suffered just before the season opener that left him fighting for his spot in the rotation. With those factors in play, he chose to return to Australia.
Since Heal’s departure in 1996, the Kings had undergone significant changes. Bill Tomlinson replaced Alan Black as head coach, and the team’s import duo of Melvin Thomas and Isaac Burton was swapped for Matt Nover, a former NCAA Final Four center better known as “Ricky Roe” from the basketball film Blue Chips, and a 19-year-old forward named Stephen Jackson, who became the youngest import signing in NBL history.
Jackson had been a standout scorer in the 1996 McDonald’s All-American Game, sharing the court with future NBA stars Kobe Bryant, Jermaine O’Neal, and Richard Hamilton. Originally set to play at the University of Arizona, he was ruled academically ineligible, leading him to declare for the 1997 NBA Draft, where he was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the second round. After failing to make the Suns’ final roster, he decided to start his professional career in Australia.
The Kings had constructed their team around a young Australian core, featuring Aaron Trahair, Matthew Nielsen, Stephen Whitehead, and Scott McGregor.
Nover (7.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 0.9 assists) and Jackson (6.0 points, 0.5 rebounds, and 1.0 assist) struggled early, combining for just 36 points over the team’s first three games. Jackson, who would go on to average 20+ points per game in multiple NBA seasons, made NBL history—but for the wrong reason—as the first import to go scoreless in his debut game. However, the Kings still found early success, notching wins over Canberra, Newcastle, and Melbourne to start the season undefeated.
Disaster struck in Round 3 when the Kings traveled to Adelaide to continue their hot streak. Late in the third quarter, Jackson attempted to block 36ers star Kevin Brooks, but landed awkwardly, breaking his foot—a season-ending injury.
In Round 6, despite Aaron Trahair exploding for 40 points on 13-of-16 shooting, the Kings fell to Wollongong (99-108). Shortly afterward, Matt Nover was released. The Kings signed former Sydney big man Dave Simmons, who had been let go by Newcastle, and ex-Sacramento Kings forward Evers Burns as import replacements.
After just six games, Simmons (6.5 points and 6.3 rebounds) was also released, making way for the signing of former NC State point guard Kelsey Weems. This allowed Heal and Trahair to play extended minutes at shooting guard.
The constant roster changes and import instability disrupted the Kings’ early momentum, leading to ten losses in their next twelve games. They ultimately missed the playoffs, finishing 10th with a 12-18 record.
Despite the struggles, Heal (20.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists) led the team in scoring, while rising star Matthew Nielsen continued his impressive development, increasing his averages from 9.9 points and 4.9 rebounds to 16.4 points and 8.3 rebounds. Weems (20.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.5 steals), during his 12-game stint, filled the box score and impressed enough to be re-signed for the following season, while Burns (16.5 points and 9.4 rebounds) provided solid production, though he wasn’t quite the player he had been in the NBA.
Jackson would later return to the NBA, playing winning a championship with San Antonio in 2003.
1998/99
Sydney underwent significant roster changes as the NBL transitioned from a winter to a summer schedule. The team suffered major losses, most notably Shane Heal, who departed to play in Greece for Near East, and team captain Bruce Bolden, who joined the newly established West Sydney Razorbacks. Additionally, Brad Williams and Stephen Whitehead were not re-signed, leaving further gaps in the lineup. To fill these vacancies, Ben Castle (Brisbane) and Darren Smith (State League) were brought in as replacements.
With the departures of key veterans, head coach Bill Tomlinson opted to rebuild the squad around young local talent, primarily Matthew Nielsen and Aaron Trahair. Veteran point guard Brad Rosen was named team captain, taking over the leadership void left by Bolden. The Kings also re-signed Kelsey Weems, who had joined the team for the final 12 games of the previous season, and paired him with incoming import Alonzo Goldston.
The Kings opened the season against Bolden’s Razorbacks, marking West Sydney’s NBL debut. Sydney fell 97-103, and their struggles continued as they dropped seven of their next eight games.
Following the poor start, import Goldston (14.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.5 blocks in six games) was released, and the team made a major move by signing NBA big man Acie Earl as his replacement.
Standing 208cm and 110kg, Earl had spent two seasons with the Boston Celtics before being selected by the Toronto Raptors in the 1995 expansion draft. He famously torched his former Celtics teammates for 40 points in a revenge game after his departure. In the NBL, he immediately made an impact, delivering one of the most dominant statistical seasons in league history.
Just five games into his tenure, Earl dropped 33 points (12/19 FG) and grabbed 12 rebounds, while shutting down Brisbane’s star big man, Thaddeus Delaney (4/14 FG). He went on to finish the season averaging 21.6 points (50% FG), 12.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.9 blocks per game, making him one of the most efficient big men in the league.
Beyond Earl, the rest of the roster had mixed results. While Weems (15.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.0 steals) didn’t match the impact of his previous campaign, Matt Nielsen took a major leap, increasing his scoring from 16.4 points per game to 20.4, while also contributing 9.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks. His rapid improvement solidified him as the franchise’s future cornerstone.
Despite individual bright spots, the Kings couldn’t string together consistent wins, struggling both at home (5-8) and on the road (4-9). They ultimately finished the season in ninth place, missing the playoffs once again.
Following the season, Weems retired from professional basketball, ending his career after multiple stints across the NBA, NBL, and international leagues.
Kelsey Weems played two seasons the Sydney Kings. He averaged 16.6 points, 4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 38 NBL games.
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-99 | 31 | Sydney | 9-17 (10) | 26 | 940.0 | 394 | 96 | 98 | 23 | 73 | 27 | 3 | 85 | 81 | 135 | 322 | 42% | 32 | 115 | 28% | 92 | 120 | 77% | 52% | 47% | 32 |
| 1998 | 30 | Sydney | 13-17 (8) | 12 | 472.0 | 240 | 59 | 61 | 11 | 48 | 18 | 2 | 42 | 35 | 80 | 161 | 50% | 27 | 72 | 38% | 53 | 71 | 75% | 62% | 58% | 30 | Totals | 38 | 1412 | 634 | 155 | 159 | 34 | 121 | 45 | 5 | 127 | 116 | 215 | 483 | 44.5% | 59 | 187 | 31.6% | 145 | 191 | 75.9% | 56% | 51% | 32 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-99 | 31 | Sydney | 9-17 (10) | 26 | 36.2 | 15.2 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 3.3 | 3.1 | 5.2 | 12.4 | 42% | 1.2 | 4.4 | 28% | 3.5 | 4.6 | 77% | 52% | 47% | 32 |
| 1998 | 30 | Sydney | 13-17 (8) | 12 | 39.3 | 20.0 | 4.9 | 5.1 | 0.9 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 0.2 | 3.5 | 2.9 | 6.7 | 13.4 | 50% | 2.3 | 6.0 | 38% | 4.4 | 5.9 | 75% | 62% | 58% | 30 | Total | 38 | 37.2 | 16.7 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 3.3 | 3.1 | 5.7 | 12.7 | 44.5% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 31.6% | 1.6 | 4.9 | 75.9% | 56% | 51% | 32 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 32 | 9 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
|---|
FIBA EXPERIENCE
Weems represented the United States national team twice, winning a gold medal during the 1993 Tournament of the Americas and a silver medal at the 1995 Pan American Games.
Weems was selected for the United States national team for the 1993 Tournament of the Americas, a competition featuring a roster composed of CBA players. During the tournament, he played seven games, averaging 9.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, and leading the team in assists with 4.4 per game. His contributions helped Team USA secure the gold medal in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Two years later, Weems was called up again to represent Team USA at the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina. In six games, he averaged 4.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 2 assists, helping the United States secure a silver medal in the competition.
Over his national team career, Weems earned a total of 13 appearances for the United States, playing a key role in both tournaments as a facilitator and contributor on both ends of the floor.
NBA EXPERIENCE
Kelsey Weems was not drafted by an NBA franchise but spent several years playing in the NBA development leagues. He was first selected by the Rockford Lightning in the fifth round of the 1989 CBA Draft (77th overall). During his time in the CBA, he participated in training camps with the Washington Bullets and the Boston Celtics but was not included in their final rosters.
Weems began his professional career with the Quad City Thunder during the 1989–90 CBA season, where he averaged 9.5 points, 4 assists, and 1 steal per game over 32 appearances. In 1990, he joined the expansion Oklahoma City Cavalry, making an immediate impact with averages of 18.3 points and 7 assists across 52 games. The following year, he moved to the Calgary 88s of the World Basketball League, where he won the league’s Sixth Man of the Year Award in 1991. In the 1992 season, he posted averages of 13.4 points and 5.8 assists, leading his team to the playoffs, where he elevated his game with 18.6 points and 3 assists per contest in five postseason appearances.
Continuing his pursuit of an NBA opportunity, Weems played in preseason games with the Seattle SuperSonics in the summer of 1992 but did not make the final roster. He later joined the Chicago Bulls preseason squad but was released on October 14, 1992. Returning to the CBA, he re-signed with the Oklahoma City Cavalry, leading the team in scoring during the 1992–93 season with 17.3 points per game while also recording a career-high 8.5 assists per contest. In the summer of 1993, he was invited to a training camp with the Charlotte Hornets.
Weems split the 1993–94 season between the Cavalry and the Hartford Hellcats, finishing the season averaging 14.4 points and 6.6 assists per game. The following year, he began with the Hellcats, starting all 14 games and posting averages of 15.3 points and 7.1 assists before being traded to the Rockford Lightning in December 1994. He completed the season with Rockford, starting 21 of 31 games and appearing in seven playoff contests, where he contributed 11.3 points and 6.1 assists per game.
Weems continued his career in the CBA, playing for the Yakima SunKings in the 1995–96 season and the Omaha Racers in 1996–97. Over his time in the league, he established himself as a consistent scorer and playmaker, ranking 19th all-time in CBA history with 5,457 points scored.
| Season | Team | PTS | AST | STL | BLK | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 87% | 95% | 87% | 54% | ||||||
| 2 | 0 | 32 | 11 | 5 | 1 | ||||||
| Total | 215 | 483 | 44.5% | 59 | 187 | 31.6% |
NBA TOTAL STATISTICS
| YEAR | AGE | TEAM | POS | GP | GS | MINS | PTS | TRB | AST | ORB | DRB | STL | BLK | TOV | PF | FG | FGA | FG% | 3P | 3PA | 3P% | FT | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-99 | 31 | Sydney | 9-17 (10) | 26 | 940.0 | 394 | 96 | 98 | 23 | 73 | 27 | 3 | 85 | 81 | 135 | 322 | 42% | 32 | 115 | 28% | 92 | 120 | 77% | 52% | 47% | 32 |
| 1998 | 30 | Sydney | 13-17 (8) | 12 | 472.0 | 240 | 59 | 61 | 11 | 48 | 18 | 2 | 42 | 35 | 80 | 161 | 50% | 27 | 72 | 38% | 53 | 71 | 75% | 62% | 58% | 30 | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Venezuela - Trotamundos de Carabobo (1998)
In 1998, he played for Trotamundos de Carabobo in Venezuela.
COLLEGE
Kelsey Weems was a highly recruited high school prospect, receiving offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Kentucky, and NC State. After narrowing his choices to Auburn and NC State, he committed to the Wolfpack on April 10, 1985.
Under head coach Jim Valvano, Weems played a limited role as a freshman, backing up Nate McMillan. He appeared in 24 games, starting four, and averaged 3.5 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 9.2 minutes per game, shooting 57.8% from the field. During the 1986 NCAA Tournament, he saw four minutes of action in NC State’s Round of 64 win against Iowa, missing his only shot attempt, and played two minutes in the Round of 32 victory over Little Rock without recording a stat.
With McMillan graduating, Vinny Del Negro became the team’s primary point guard, and Weems remained a reserve in his sophomore season. He played in all 35 games, starting once, and improved slightly to 3.9 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game in 11.4 minutes, while shooting an impressive 59.1% from the field and 50.0% from three-point range. In the 1987 NCAA Tournament, he played seven minutes in the first-round loss to Florida, scoring two points on 1-of-2 shooting and grabbing one rebound.
Weems’ junior season saw his playing time decrease further with the arrival of Chris Corchiani. He played in 31 games, averaging 1.9 points, 0.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in just 7.0 minutes per game, posting career lows in nearly every category. His field goal percentage dropped to 51.1%, and he failed to make a three-pointer that season. In the 1988 NCAA Tournament, he logged 11 minutes in the Round of 64 loss to Murray State, recording two points, one rebound, and three assists while making his only shot attempt.
In his senior season, Weems finally saw an expanded role, appearing in 26 games with one start. He set career highs in nearly every statistical category, averaging 7.5 points, 1.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 0.7 steals per game in 16.5 minutes, while shooting 54.2% from the field and 45.5% from three-point range. His strongest NCAA Tournament performance came in the 1989 Round of 64 against South Carolina, where he played 17 minutes and scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, while dishing out three assists. He followed that with a nine-minute appearance in the Round of 32 against Iowa, where he scored two points and recorded two assists. In NC State’s Sweet 16 loss to Georgetown, he played 13 minutes, scoring four points on 2-of-4 shooting.
Weems' college career ended in controversy in 1990, when he was implicated in a point-shaving investigation. He contacted ABC News, which aired a report on the scandal, and the incident contributed to Jim Valvano’s resignation as head coach.
Over four seasons at NC State, Weems played in 116 games, starting six, with career averages of 4.1 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game in 10.9 minutes, while shooting 55.8% from the field, 42.9% from three, and 57.8% from the free-throw line.
AWARDS
- WBL Sixth Man of the Year (1991)
LIFE AFTER BASKETBALL
Kelsey Weems passed away on August 20, 1999.
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