Published on Tuesday, April 15, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Former NBA player Keith Closs Jr. (49), plans to establish a youth development academy and foundation in San José that will focus on basketball training and community support for underserved children.

Closs, who played three seasons as a center for the Los Angeles Clippers from 1997 to 2000, said he is currently formalizing the Keith Closs Skills Academy and the Keith Closs Foundation. Although the initiatives have not yet been launched, Closs is already actively training local youth and offering mentorship.

“Before moving here, I spent many years living and working abroad. I lived in China for a long time, where I met Karla. She is Costa Rican," Closs told A.M. Costa Rica. "We later moved to Istanbul and lived there for three years before coming to Costa Rica. We’ve always worked internationally, but this time, we wanted to settle down, be closer to Karla’s family, and build something of our own.”

Karla Closs, a preschool teacher with experience in international schools, is leading efforts to formalize the academy and manage the foundation’s activities. Those efforts include working with at-risk youth, visiting rehabilitation centers, and offering basketball training and motivational talks in low-income areas.

“Costa Rica has been home to me for more than a year now. When we first came to visit, our plan was not to stay. But I quickly fell in love with the country and I decided to commit my time to helping the youth here, especially since this is my wife’s home,” he added.

Closs said he chose to settle in Costa Rica because of the warmth of the people, the strong sense of community, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact.

“I love Costa Rica. This is my wife’s home, and I’m family-oriented, so I thought it would be great for us to stay here, build something, and have the support of our family and her loved ones nearby,” he noted.

Now a resident of San José, Closs said he is committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of Costa Rican children, particularly those in underserved communities. His work involves basketball instruction and motivational speaking.

“Our goal is not only to improve basketball in Costa Rica but also to use the sport as a tool for life-changing opportunities,” he stated.

Keith has previous experience with youth basketball academies, including overseeing programs in China. In Shanghai, he helped train more than 500 children, and in another city, he worked with 1,500 players.  Where he was in charge of training players and coaches.

He believes Costa Rican youth have tremendous potential, especially in communities that lack access to resources.

“I want to use my experience, both in basketball and in life, to inspire kids to believe in themselves, stay away from negative influences, and see basketball as a tool for discipline, teamwork, and growth,” he said. “I know firsthand how sports can change lives. My mission is to give these kids the guidance and motivation they need to dream big.”

Keith's foundation will be headquartered in Costa Rica, with plans to expand to the United States later this year.  The nonprofit organization’s mission includes offering basketball training for underserved youth, providing access to international opportunities like scholarships and professional-level coaching, and restoring basketball courts in Costa Rican communities to encourage youth participation in sports.

The foundation will be also focusing on supporting marginalized communities. "The best way to change the world is to start with the youth because they are the future leaders," he added. "If we train them right and raise them right, chances are they’ll succeed. We equip them with tools they can use to improve their situations and help their communities.”

One of the academy’s signature programs will involve taking Costa Rican players to Los Angeles, U.S. this year, to participate in the Clippers’ training camp from July 11 to 20. “I want to give them the chance to meet other players and experience where I learned to play as a kid,” Closs said. “That’s especially monumental for me.”

Closs continues to work as a professional basketball coach. In addition to his time with the Clippers, his professional playing career includes stints with the Pennsylvania Valley Dawgs (2001–2003), Rockford Lightning (2004), Gary Steelheads (2004–2005), China’s Yunnan Bulls (2008), and the Santa Barbara Breakers (2012).

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