Kelly Oubre Jr. Bio
Kelly Paul Oubre Jr. (born December 9, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) and listed at 210 lb (95 kg), Oubre plays the shooting guard and small forward positions. He is widely recognized for his athleticism, scoring bursts, and perimeter defense across nearly a decade in the league.
After one season at the University of Kansas, Oubre was selected 15th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2015 NBA draft and immediately traded to the Washington Wizards. He has since suited up for the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and Charlotte Hornets before landing in Philadelphia, where he continues to play wearing jersey number 9.
Early Life and Background
Early Life and Background
Kelly Paul Oubre Jr. was born on December 9, 1995, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the second child of Kelly Oubre Sr. and Tonya Coleman (formerly Oubre). He spent his earliest years in the Magnolia public housing project before his family settled in the Eastover neighborhood of New Orleans. As a young child, he attended Edward Hynes Elementary School and played for three youth teams in the Milne Boys Home program (now part of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission).
After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Oubre family relocated to Richmond, Texas, where Kelly continued his basketball development. He attended George Bush High School in Fort Bend, Texas, before transferring to Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada, for his senior season. In October 2013, Oubre committed to play college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks, beginning what would become a quick rise to the NBA.
Path to Basketball
Path to Basketball
Oubre starred at George Bush High School and Findlay Prep, where his scoring and wing size made him one of the top high school players in the country. In 2014, he was named a McDonald’s All-American and earned first-team Parade All-American honors, cementing his status as a five-star recruit.
As a freshman at Kansas in 2014–15, Oubre was twice named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week and earned Big 12 All-Newcomer Team honors, along with All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recognition. In 36 games (27 starts), he averaged 9.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 21.0 minutes per game. On April 1, 2015, Oubre declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility, and was selected 15th overall by the Atlanta Hawks before being traded to the Washington Wizards.
Kelly Oubre Jr. Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Oubre spent his first three NBA seasons with the Washington Wizards, where he was primarily used as a 3-and-D wing off the bench. On December 16, 2015, he scored a career-high 18 points against the San Antonio Spurs, signaling his scoring upside. By his second season, on November 28, 2016, he recorded his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in a 101–95 overtime win over the Sacramento Kings.
In 2017–18, Oubre scored over 20 points five times, including a then career-high 26 points on January 19, 2018, in a 122–112 win over the Detroit Pistons. He was also suspended for Game 4 of the Wizards’ second-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics after being ejected for shoving Kelly Olynyk in Game 3.
Washington Wizards Breakthrough (2015–2018)
Oubre’s Wizards tenure was a development period that established his NBA footing. He grew into a rotational wing who could switch defensively and knock down open shots, finishing his Wizards career with a 26-point career high in 2018. His athleticism, length, and finishing at the rim gave Washington a versatile piece, even as his shooting efficiency dipped late in his final season.
Phoenix Suns Era (2018–2020)
On December 17, 2018, Oubre was traded with Austin Rivers to the Phoenix Suns for Trevor Ariza, where he quickly became a fan favorite. He set new career highs in rapid succession, including 26 points against the Sacramento Kings, 28 points against the Los Angeles Clippers, and a then career-high 32 points in a 138–136 overtime win over the New Orleans Pelicans on March 16, 2019. A left thumb injury ended his 2018–19 campaign shortly after.
On July 16, 2019, Oubre signed a two-year, $30 million contract extension with Phoenix and elevated his play further. He grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds on December 5, 2019, in an overtime win over New Orleans, and exploded for a career-high 39 points in a 127–91 win over the Houston Rockets on February 7, 2020. A torn right meniscus cut his season short, leading to arthroscopic surgery in March 2020.
Golden State Warriors Era (2020–2021)
On November 16, 2020, Oubre was part of the package sent to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Chris Paul trade, and six days later he was dealt to the Golden State Warriors. He made his Warriors debut on December 22, 2020, and adjusted to a motion-heavy offense. On February 4, 2021, Oubre erupted for a career-high 40 points in a 147–116 win over the Dallas Mavericks, showcasing his shot-making ability at the next level.
Charlotte Hornets Era (2021–2023)
Oubre signed a two-year, $25 million contract with the Charlotte Hornets on August 7, 2021, and opened with 14 points in his debut against the Indiana Pacers. On January 26, 2022, he scored a season-high 39 points with a career-high 10 three-pointers in a 158–126 win over Indiana, an explosive perimeter performance. He later suffered a torn ligament in his left hand on December 29, 2022, underwent surgery on January 5, 2023, and returned on February 24 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Philadelphia 76ers Era (2023–Present)
On September 26, 2023, Oubre signed a one-year, $2.9 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers and quickly became a starter. On November 11, 2023, he was struck by a car while walking near his Center City residence, suffering a fractured rib and injuries to his hip and right leg; he returned to action on December 6 after missing 11 games. At the time of the incident, he was averaging 16.3 points and 5.1 rebounds on 50 percent shooting in 29 minutes per game.
On July 15, 2024, Oubre re-signed with the Sixers on a two-year, $16.3 million extension, continuing his role as a scoring wing in Philadelphia. On December 30, 2024, he recorded 15 points, five rebounds, and a career-high eight steals in a 125–103 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, capping a strong continuation of his Sixers tenure.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beyond his scoring highs, Oubre is known for the Valley Boyz brand he created during his time in Phoenix, a merchandise line and hashtag that grew into a community movement. He also helped design the Suns’ City Edition jerseys for 2020–21 and 2021–22, leaving a creative mark on the franchise. His return from a 2023 hit-and-run incident in Philadelphia, just 11 games after a frightening accident, stands as one of the most resilient stretches of his career.
Kelly Oubre Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kelly Paul Oubre Jr. was raised by his parents, Kelly Oubre Sr. and Tonya Coleman, in New Orleans before the family relocated to Texas following Hurricane Katrina. The values of resilience shaped by his upbringing carried into his professional career, fueling the hard work that powered his climb from public housing to the NBA.
Personal Life
Oubre married Shylynn Oubre (née Gibson) in 2022. The couple has two children together: a daughter, born in 2021, and a son, born in 2024. The family resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where Oubre continues to play for the 76ers.
2025 Season Performance
Kelly Oubre Jr. entered 2025 firmly in the Philadelphia 76ers rotation following his two-year, $16.3 million extension signed in July 2024. His 8-steal performance against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 30, 2024, was a strong springboard, and he continued to provide two-way wing play, perimeter defense, and timely scoring in early 2025 action.
Under the Philadelphia system, Oubre has been deployed as a secondary scorer and disruptor on the wing, using his length to pressure ball handlers and his athleticism to attack closeouts. His veteran presence and energy off the bench or as a starter remain central to the 76ers’ depth as the season progresses.
With the 2025 campaign still unfolding, Oubre’s role with the Sixers appears steady, and his combination of athleticism, perimeter shot-making, and defensive versatility should keep him as a key contributor. He will look to build on his late-2024 form and help Philadelphia push deep into the postseason.
