Michigan State University Athletics
Men's Basketball
Thomas Kelley
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- msuhoops@ath.msu.edu
- Phone:
- 355-1643
Former Michigan State men's basketball standout and graduate assistant Thomas Kelley rejoined the Spartans program as an assistant coach in June 2022.
Kelley, in his fifth year back with his alma mater, rejoined the MSU program after spending four seasons as an assistant coach at Western Michigan (2018-22).
Since his return to MSU, Kelly has handled scouting opponents and worked with the team’s guards. Under his guidance, several players have earned conference and national recognition. Tyson Walker was a two-time All-Big Ten second team selection, A.J. Hoggard twice was named All-Big Ten, Jaden Akins earned All-Big Ten third team honors and was a member of the All-Defensive Team and Jase Richardson was selected to the All-Freshman team in 2025 before being a first round pick of the Orlando Magic in the NBA. Last year, Jeremy Fears Jr. was an All-Big Ten First Team selection and was selected as a senior team All-American by the Associated Press.
Kelly has also been involved in recruiting classes over the last three years were ranked among the top-20 in the country, with the team’s 2023-24 class ranked No. 5 in the country by 247 Sports, the 2024-25 class tabbed No. 15 and the 2025-26 class ranked No. 5 nationally.
Last year, the Spartans finished the season with a 27-8 overall record, including a 15-5 mark in the Big Ten to tie for second place. MSU reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament and finished the season ranked No. 11 in the country by the Associated Press. Fears was a first team all-conference selection and earned five All-American honors.
Michigan State finished the 2024-25 season with a 30-7 overall record, extended its NCAA Tournament streak to 27-straight appearances, reached the Elite Eight and finished the season ranked No.7 in the country. The Spartans posted a 17-3 record in the Big Ten Conference and won the league’s regular season title by three games, with two players earning all-conference honors.
In 2023-24, Michigan State went 20-15, extended its NCAA Tournament to 26-straight appearances as three players earned All-Big Ten honors, including a second team honor for graduate guard Tyson Walker and honorable mention honors for senior guard A.J. Hoggard.
In his first year back at MSU, the Spartans finished the season with a 21-13 record, advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament and had three players earn All-Big Ten honors.
In 2023-24, the coaching staff welcomed in a recruiting class that was ranked No. 5 in the country by 247 Sports and includes one 5-star recruit and three 4-stars.
During his time at Western Michigan, six Broncos earned Mid-American Conference (MAC) recognition and 13 earned Academic All-MAC recognition.
Kelley started his coaching career at Michigan State in 2015-16, joining Izzo's staff as a graduate manager alongside former Spartan Austin Thornton, who is now an assistant coach. During his three seasons at MSU, Kelley was responsible for breaking down film, assisting with scouting and player development. The Spartans won two Big Ten Championships and reached three NCAA Tournaments during that time.
Kelley played at Michigan State from 1994-99, earning his bachelor's degree in communications. He began his playing career under legendary head coach Jud Heathcote. As a fifth-year senior in 1998-99, he was part of Izzo's first Final Four team, helping to lead the Spartans to a 33-5 overall record, the No. 2 national ranking by the Associated Press and a Big Ten Championship. During his playing days, the Spartans appeared in three NCAA Tournaments and two National Invitation Tournaments (NIT).
After his collegiate career, Kelley played 15 seasons overseas in Holland, Israel, Turkey, Austria, Hungary and Finland.
A native of Grand, Rapids, Mich., Kelley and his wife, Amanda, were married in 2022. He has a stepson, Trey Ward, and a stepdaughter, Nala Ward.
Kelley, in his fifth year back with his alma mater, rejoined the MSU program after spending four seasons as an assistant coach at Western Michigan (2018-22).
Since his return to MSU, Kelly has handled scouting opponents and worked with the team’s guards. Under his guidance, several players have earned conference and national recognition. Tyson Walker was a two-time All-Big Ten second team selection, A.J. Hoggard twice was named All-Big Ten, Jaden Akins earned All-Big Ten third team honors and was a member of the All-Defensive Team and Jase Richardson was selected to the All-Freshman team in 2025 before being a first round pick of the Orlando Magic in the NBA. Last year, Jeremy Fears Jr. was an All-Big Ten First Team selection and was selected as a senior team All-American by the Associated Press.
Kelly has also been involved in recruiting classes over the last three years were ranked among the top-20 in the country, with the team’s 2023-24 class ranked No. 5 in the country by 247 Sports, the 2024-25 class tabbed No. 15 and the 2025-26 class ranked No. 5 nationally.
Last year, the Spartans finished the season with a 27-8 overall record, including a 15-5 mark in the Big Ten to tie for second place. MSU reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament and finished the season ranked No. 11 in the country by the Associated Press. Fears was a first team all-conference selection and earned five All-American honors.
Michigan State finished the 2024-25 season with a 30-7 overall record, extended its NCAA Tournament streak to 27-straight appearances, reached the Elite Eight and finished the season ranked No.7 in the country. The Spartans posted a 17-3 record in the Big Ten Conference and won the league’s regular season title by three games, with two players earning all-conference honors.
In 2023-24, Michigan State went 20-15, extended its NCAA Tournament to 26-straight appearances as three players earned All-Big Ten honors, including a second team honor for graduate guard Tyson Walker and honorable mention honors for senior guard A.J. Hoggard.
In his first year back at MSU, the Spartans finished the season with a 21-13 record, advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament and had three players earn All-Big Ten honors.
In 2023-24, the coaching staff welcomed in a recruiting class that was ranked No. 5 in the country by 247 Sports and includes one 5-star recruit and three 4-stars.
During his time at Western Michigan, six Broncos earned Mid-American Conference (MAC) recognition and 13 earned Academic All-MAC recognition.
Kelley started his coaching career at Michigan State in 2015-16, joining Izzo's staff as a graduate manager alongside former Spartan Austin Thornton, who is now an assistant coach. During his three seasons at MSU, Kelley was responsible for breaking down film, assisting with scouting and player development. The Spartans won two Big Ten Championships and reached three NCAA Tournaments during that time.
Kelley played at Michigan State from 1994-99, earning his bachelor's degree in communications. He began his playing career under legendary head coach Jud Heathcote. As a fifth-year senior in 1998-99, he was part of Izzo's first Final Four team, helping to lead the Spartans to a 33-5 overall record, the No. 2 national ranking by the Associated Press and a Big Ten Championship. During his playing days, the Spartans appeared in three NCAA Tournaments and two National Invitation Tournaments (NIT).
After his collegiate career, Kelley played 15 seasons overseas in Holland, Israel, Turkey, Austria, Hungary and Finland.
A native of Grand, Rapids, Mich., Kelley and his wife, Amanda, were married in 2022. He has a stepson, Trey Ward, and a stepdaughter, Nala Ward.
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