Early Life and Education of Kelly Olynyk: A Complete Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 6, 2025

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Kelly Olynyk. A timeline of key moments.

Kelly Olynyk is a Canadian professional basketball player currently with the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA and captain of the Canadian national team. He played college basketball at Gonzaga, earning All-American honors. Drafted 13th overall by the Dallas Mavericks in 2013 (but immediately traded to the Boston Celtics), Olynyk has played for several NBA teams, including the Miami Heat (reaching the 2020 NBA Finals), Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz, and Toronto Raptors before joining the New Orleans Pelicans and the Spurs.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1979: Father as Head Coach of Lethbridge Pronghorns

Ken Olynyk, Kelly's Father, was the head coach of the Lethbridge Pronghorns men's basketball team from 1979.

1983: Father's Start as Head Coach of Canada Junior Men's National Team

Ken Olynyk, Kelly's Father, started as the head coach of the Canada junior men's national basketball team in 1983.

1988: Father's End as Head Coach of Lethbridge Pronghorns

Ken Olynyk, Kelly's Father, ended as the head coach of the Lethbridge Pronghorns men's basketball team in 1988.

1989: Father's Start as Head Coach of Toronto Varsity Blues

Ken Olynyk, Kelly's Father, started as the head coach of the Toronto Varsity Blues men's basketball team in 1989.

April 19, 1991: Kelly Olynyk Born

On April 19, 1991, Kelly Tyler Olynyk was born. He is a Canadian professional basketball player.

Others born on this day/year

November 3, 1995: Mother's First Game as Scorekeeper

On November 3, 1995, Arlene Olynyk, Kelly Olynyk's mother, was the scorekeeper for the Toronto Raptors' first-ever regular season game against the New Jersey Nets.

1996: Father's End as Head Coach of Canada Junior Men's National Team

Ken Olynyk, Kelly's Father, ended as the head coach of the Canada junior men's national basketball team in 1996.

2002: Father's End as Head Coach of Toronto Varsity Blues

Ken Olynyk, Kelly's Father, ended as the head coach of the Toronto Varsity Blues men's basketball team in 2002.

2003: Father Became Athletic Director

In 2003, Ken Olynyk became the athletic director at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, British Columbia.

2004: Mother's Last Game as Scorekeeper

In 2004, Arlene Olynyk worked for the last time as the NBA’s first female scorekeeper for the Toronto Raptors.

2007: Broke Arm During Playoff Game

In 2007, Kelly Olynyk played quarterback for the Titans and broke his arm during a playoff game.

2009: Started College Basketball at Gonzaga

In 2009, Kelly Olynyk began his college basketball career at Gonzaga.

2011: Redshirt Junior Year

In 2011, Kelly Olynyk and Gonzaga agreed that he would redshirt his junior year to improve his game, meaning he would practice with the team but not play.