Keith Closs facts for kids
| Santiago Basket Titanes | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | |
| Personal information | |
| Born | April 3, 1976 Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| High school | Sierra Vista (Baldwin Park, California) |
| Listed height | 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) |
| Listed weight | 212 lb (96 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Central Connecticut (1994–1996) |
| NBA Draft | 1997 / Undrafted |
| Pro career | 1996–2012 |
| Coaching career | 2023–present |
| League | LDC |
| Career history | |
| As player: | |
| 1996–1997 | Norwich Neptunes |
| 1997–2000 | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 2001, 2003 | Pennsylvania Valley Dawgs |
| 2004–2005 | Rockford Lightning |
| 2005 | Gary Steelheads |
| 2006–2007 | Butte Daredevils |
| 2007 | Buffalo Silverbacks |
| 2007–2008 | Tulsa 66ers |
| 2008 | Yunnan Bulls |
| 2012 | Santa Barbara Breakers |
| As coach: | |
| 2023–present | Santiago Basket Titanes |
| Career highlights and awards | |
|
|
Keith Mitchell Closs Jr. (born April 3, 1976) is an American professional basketball coach and former player. He is currently the head coach for the Santiago Basket Titanes team in the Laliga de Campeones (LDC). During his playing career, he was a center.
Contents
College Basketball Journey
Keith Closs is very tall, standing at 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 meters) and weighing 212 pounds (96 kg). He played college basketball at Central Connecticut State University. He was amazing at blocking shots, leading the entire nation in blocks during his two years there. He still holds the NCAA Division I record for most blocks per game, with 5.87 blocks.
Professional Playing Career
Starting in the NBA
Keith Closs began his professional career with the Norwich Neptunes. He then joined the National Basketball Association's Los Angeles Clippers in 1997. He played three seasons for the Clippers, from 1997 to 2000. During his time with the team, he averaged about 3.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. He also set a club record for most blocked shots per 48 minutes, with 4.7 blocks.
Playing in Other Leagues
After his time in the NBA, Closs continued to play basketball in various leagues.
- In 2001 and 2003, he played for the Pennsylvania Valley Dawgs in the USBL.
- In 2004, he joined the Rockford Lightning in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA). He was a top blocker in this league, averaging 4.4 blocks per game. He also averaged 7.2 points and 7.0 rebounds.
- He also played for the Gary Steelheads in the CBA during the 2004–05 season.
- In 2006–07, Closs played for the Butte Daredevils in the CBA.
- He later joined the Buffalo Silverbacks in the American Basketball Association.
- In 2007, he was chosen by the Tulsa 66ers in the NBA Development League draft.
- In December 2008, Closs played for the Chinese league team, the Yunnan Bulls. He had strong averages of 16.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, and 5.9 blocked shots per game.
- His playing career ended in 2012 with the Santa Barbara Breakers in the West Coast Professional Basketball League.
Coaching Career
After a long playing career, Keith Closs moved into coaching. On July 21, 2023, he was announced as the head coach for the Santiago Basket Titanes. This team plays in the Dominican Laliga de Campeones. In August 2022, he also became an assistant coach in the Turkish basketball league.
About Keith Closs
Keith Closs is the oldest of six children in his family. His favorite book is Giant Steps by the famous basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Keith Closs has a son named Keith M. Closs III, who was born on January 21, 2000. His father, Keith Mitchell Closs Sr., passed away on December 1, 2017.
Fun Facts About Keith
Keith Closs is the oldest of six children in his family. His favorite book is called Giant Steps, written by the famous basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Keith Closs has a son named Keith M. Closs III, who was born on January 21, 2000. His father, Keith Mitchell Closs Sr., passed away on December 1, 2017.
Interestingly, Keith Closs has one of the lowest Body Mass Index (BMI) values among all players in NBA history.
See also
In Spanish: Keith Closs para niños
- List of tallest players in National Basketball Association history
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 13 or more blocks in a game
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball season blocks leaders
