| No. 5, 30 | |
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| Guard | |
| Personal information | |
| Date of birth | April 11, 1949 |
| Place of birth | Flint, Michigan |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 195 lb (88 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Central Michigan |
| NBA Draft | 1972 / Round: 8 / Pick: 129th overall |
| Selected by the Detroit Pistons | |
| Pro career | 1972–1973 |
| League | NBA |
| Career history | |
| 1972–1973 | Detroit Pistons |
| Stats at NBA.com | |
| Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Ben Kelso (born April 11, 1949, in Flint, Michigan) is an American former NBA player for the Detroit Pistons. He has coached basketball for schools in the Detroit area and was accused of an alleged scandal in this capacity. In July, 2005, the Kansas State Wildcats hired Kelso as assistant coach for their men's basketball program.
Kelso, a graduate of Central Michigan University, was drafted by Coach Ray Scott and the Pistons, where he played from 1973-1975. In 1976, Kelso was hired by Scott as one of his assistant coaches at Eastern Michigan University. Over three seasons, he helped guide EMU to a 29-52 record. EMU fired Scott and his staff in March 1979.
After retiring as a professional ball player, Kelso began coaching students at various schools. At Detroit's Cooley High School, where he coached for 14 years, Kelso lead the team to three (3) consecutive state championships in 1987, 1988, and 1989, which led to his appearance in the March 5, 1990 edition of Sports Illustrated [1][2] [3]
In 1998, Kelso transferred over to Southfield High School as coach and athletic director where he was credited with rejuvenating the girls' basketball program and winning two state championships.
On December 17, 2002, Kelso was fired by the Southfield Board of Education after being accused of allegedly misappropriating funds from school ticket and concession sales. Police and the District Attorneys Office concluded that there was insufficient evidence to arrest Kelso. 18 months later, the State Tenure Commission concluded that Kelso was wrongfully terminated and advised him to resume his job.
Kelso ultimately took a new job as gym instructor with Southfield's Arthur Ashe Academy after Southfield High School officials refused to speak with him and later refused to reissue his original job title. Currently, Kelso is the head coach at Mumford High School and also periodically conducts his own basketball training program for youth, collegiate and professionals players in Michigan.
Kelso has four children: Benjamin, Bradley, Jennifer, and Jalen.