(Image credit: Gonzaga University).

By Aaron Schulze

No. 13 in the Rafters

South Kam grad Kelly Olynyk has number retired by Gonzaga men’s basketball

Dec 6, 2022 | 7:10 AM

SPOKANE, WA. — Kamloops’ NBA player Kelly Olynyk was honoured at the collegiate level Monday (Dec. 5) night.

Gonzaga University, located in Spokane, retired Olynyk’s No. 13 jersey number in front of a sellout crowd during the Bulldogs’ 73-66 home win over Kent State.

Olynyk played for Gonzaga from 2009 to 2013 and led the Bulldogs to their first ever No. 1 seed in the NCAA men’s Division I basketball tournament – also known as March Madness.

“You’re almost speechless,” Olynyk said in a news release issued by Gonzaga Monday. “It’s just such an honor, especially with the names that you’re up beside. They’re unbelievable players.”

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The South Kamloops Secondary grad also earned first team AP All-American status as a senior.

Olynyk is currently playing his 10^th NBA season with the Utah Jazz. As of publication, the 6’11” power forward has started all 26 games, averaging 13 points, 3.2 assists, and five rebounds per game.