Rich Kelly previously coached at the University of Connecticut.
According to a report from CT Insider, the Boston Celtics have hired former University of Connecticut graduate assistant Rich Kelly.
Kelly will work with the Maine Celtics, the G-League affiliate of the Celtics.
Here's what you need to know about Kelly.
As a player
Kelly played college basketball from 2017-22, playing for both Quinnipiac and Boston College. With Quinnipiac, he made the MAAC All-Rookie team in 2018, and he was a Second-Team All-Conference selection in 2019 and 2020. After Quinnipiac, he transferred to BC, where he averaged 13 ppg.
As a coach
Kelly has spent the last three years on the UConn staff as a graduate assistant, helping the Huskies win the national championship in 2024 and get back to the title game in 2026 as they lost to Michigan.
While he's still young, he has clearly gained valuable experience under head coach Dan Hurley, who is one of the most decorated coaches in the college game. Furthermore, Hurley runs his program like a professional system, which means that Kelly has been exposed to the pro game - essentially.
The Boston Celtics mascot performs during game one of the eastern conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. David Butler II-USA TODAY SportsDespite his youth, he should be more than capable of helping aid in the development of the C's players at the G-League. His placement in the G-League means that he could end up working with Celtics draft picks Chris Cenac Jr. (Houston) and Dillon Mitchell (St. John's). Both players were drafted this year and both could end up seeing time at the G-League.
We'll know more about their NBA prospects at the conclusion of the NBA preseason schedule.
Elsewhere in the news for the Celtics
Former St. John's standout - and former Celtics preseason player - RJ Luis is headed back to college as part of the new "wild, wild West" of collegiate athletics. He will play for LSU.
As noted by Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, Luis was granted a preliminary injunction to give himself another year of eligibility. Luis was the Big East Player of the Year in 2024-25, but went undrafted in the 2025 draft. He played for the C's in the preseason, scoring six total points.
He never suited up for Maine in the G-League and is heading back to school for his final year of eligibility. Of course, multiple conferences have come out and said they won't accept players who have already had professional opportunities. Right now, the focus is on football, but it could certainly extend to basketball as well.
