Viktor Bychkov, BC Khimki General Director:

– Today we have completed the selective campaign of our club. We have signed a two-year agreement with Thomas Kelati, who spent his previous years in Spanish clubs. We needed a perimeter player, with a good three-point sprint. Due to changes in markups, there is a serious hunt for basketball position of a “third” number in Europe now. Thomas is one of the best strikers of this role, and we are glad that we managed to sign it. We have fulfilled all the set selection problems, and we hope that we will have a balanced roster, which will be able to solve serious problems.

Sergio Scariolo, BC Khimki head coach:

– Thomas Kelati has a great experience. He is a great sniper, and he is able to give a good pass, he is good at defense, especially against “large” opponents. This agreement completes the selection of our club. I believe that we have gathered a good team, and we can together achieve high results.

Thomas Kelati

Birthday – 27 September 1982.
Position – guard.
Height – 195 cm.
Weight – 91 kg.
Nationality – Poland/USA.
Entry to club since 2010

Sports career

Teams played:
2001-2005 – Washington (NCAA),
2005-2006 – Dexia Mons-Hainaut (Belgium),
2006-2008 – Turov (Poland),
2008-2009 – Unicaja (Spain),
2009-2010 – Valencia Basket Club (Spain),
Since 2010 – BC Khimki

Achievements:
2006 – Belgian Championship finalist;
2007, 2008 – Polish Championship finalist;
2007, 2008 – All stars games in Polish Championship;
2007 – Best player of Polish Championship (Eurobasket.com);
2007 – Best forward of Polish Championship (Eurobasket.com);
2007 – Best foreign player of Polish Championship (Eurobasket.com);
2008 – The winner of regular season of Polish Championship;
2009 – Spanish Cup finalist;
2009 – Spanish Championship semi-finalist;
2010 – The winner of Eurocup.

Since 2010 – The player of National team of Poland

Private life

Birthplace: Walla Walla, Washington, USA
Full name: Thomas Kelati
Marital status: Married to Marta
Children: Daughters Liliana Thomas (2,5 years old) and Maya Azieb Thomas (8 months)
Hobbies: Watching movies, playing poker
Favourite films: The Shawshank Redemption, American Gangster, Wedding Crashers
Favourite music: R’n’B, Soul
Favourite food: Anything
Favourite books: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Favourite sport, apart from basketball: Soccer, tennis, American football