Kelvin Troy

Kelvin Troy is one of the most beloved, respected and greatest American basketball players to ever play in the Ireland.

Hall of Fame induction

2018/19

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National Cup

1986,87 (Killester)

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Clubs

Jameson St Vincent’s, Ballina, Killester

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Kelvin Troy is one of the most beloved, respected and greatest American basketballers to ever play in the Irish Men’s National League.

A native of Lakewood, New Jersey, he was a fifth-round NBA draft pick after his exploits with Rutgers University and chosen by Sports Illustrated as one of the best five defensive players in US college basketball.

He would make an even greater impact in Ireland, having the distinction of being the first American player to play at least five seasons here that helped his team claim a Division One (now Super League) Top Four spot every time – with Jameson St Vincent’s (1984-85), Killester (1985-86, ’86-87 and ’87-88) and for the first time in their history, Ballina (1988-89) – a measure of his consistency as well as ferocious competitiveness.

In that 1986-87 season, he, alongside three-time NBA champion Mario Elie, would inspire Killester to their first National Cup, scoring 38 points in their unforgettable final win over Burgerland Neptune.

Renowned for his remarkably aggressive style, and considered one of the greatest defenders to ever play in this country, Troy was also a tremendous all-round offensive player and scorer, averaging 33 points a game in the two-American era; only Jasper McElroy averaged more over three seasons in that period. Kelvin would also go on to qualify and play for Ireland before retiring in 1992 after undergoing a kidney transplant.

Kelvin is a Rutgers University Hall of Famer inductee in 2000, a Lakewood High School Hall of Famer inductee in 2013 and was also voted in the Millennium top 100 athletes in New Jersey Shore. Kelvin continues to live in Ireland and is a tremendous ambassador for the sport through his coaching in numerous schools and clubs in Dublin.