Ben Kelso facts for kids
Kelso as a senior at Central Michigan
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 11, 1949 Flint, Michigan |
| Nationality | American |
| High school | Southwestern (Flint, Michigan) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Central Michigan (1970–1973) |
| NBA Draft | 1973 / Round: 8 / Pick: 129th overall |
| Selected by the Detroit Pistons | |
| Pro career | 1973–1974 |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1973–1974 | Detroit Pistons |
| As coach: | |
| 1976–1980 | Eastern Michigan (assistant) |
| 1984–1998 | Cooley HS |
| 1998–2002 | Southfield HS |
| 2004–2005 | Central HS |
| 2005–2006 | Kansas State (assistant) |
| 2007–2010 | Central HS |
| 2010–2011 | Mumford HS |
| 2013–2014 | Waterford Kettering HS |
| 2014–2018 | Pontiac HS |
| 2018–present | Mumford HS |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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Ben Kelso, born on April 11, 1949, is an American basketball player and coach. He is known for playing as a shooting guard for the Detroit Pistons in the 1970s. After his playing days, Kelso became a successful coach for many years.
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Ben Kelso's Playing Career
Ben Kelso went to Central Michigan University for college. After college, he was chosen by the Detroit Pistons in the 1973 NBA draft. He played for the Pistons during the 1973–1974 season.
From Player to Assistant Coach
In 1976, Ben Kelso became an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan University. He worked with Coach Ray Scott for three seasons. They helped the team achieve a record of 29 wins and 52 losses.
Ben Kelso's Coaching Journey
After his time as an assistant coach, Ben Kelso started coaching students at different schools. He became a very successful high school basketball coach.
Coaching Success at Cooley High School
Kelso coached at Detroit's Cooley High School for 14 years. During his time there, his team won three state championships in a row! They won in 1987, 1988, and 1989. This amazing achievement was even featured in Sports Illustrated magazine in 1990.
Leading Teams at Southfield High School
In 1998, Kelso moved to Southfield High School. He became both a coach and the athletic director. He helped make the girls' basketball program much stronger, leading them to win two state championships.
Later, in 2002, there were some serious accusations about money from school ticket and concession sales. However, police and the District Attorney's Office found no strong proof to arrest Kelso. About 18 months later, a state commission decided that he was wrongly let go from his job and advised that he should get it back.
Even though he was told to return, Kelso took a new job as a gym instructor at Arthur Ashe Academy. He later became the head coach at Mumford High School.
Coaching in Recent Years
In 2013, Ben Kelso became the head coach for the boys' basketball team at Waterford Kettering High School. After one season there, he took the same coaching position at Pontiac High School. He also helps young players, college athletes, and professional players improve their basketball skills through his own training program in Michigan. As of 2025, he continues to coach at Mumford High School.
Career Highlights and Statistics
Ben Kelso had a short but notable playing career in the NBA. He played 46 games for the Detroit Pistons during the 1973–74 season. In those games, he averaged 1.8 points and 0.7 rebounds per game. He also played in one playoff game in 1974.
See also
In Spanish: Ben Kelso para niños
