Where do the experts think the latest Hoosier big will land in the upcoming draft?
Former Indiana men’s basketball center Kel’el Ware declared for the 2024 NBA Draft following a bounceback season in Bloomington.
Ware’s college career began at Oregon where he faced criticism over his motor and saw his playing time dwindle as the season went on. He improved upon transferring to Indiana, becoming the Hoosiers’ centerpiece and most valuable offensive player this past season.
He ha: s the tools of an ideal modern center with the athleticism to finish lobs, height and length to protect the rim and an ability to hit shots from deep. It was a no brainer for him to declare in what’s considered an overall down year for the draft.
Here’s where the experts have him going:
- Ricky O’Donnell – SB Nation: (11th overall, Chicago Bulls)
- Tankathon: (21st overall, New Orleans Pelicans)
- Fox Sports: (21st overall, New Orleans Pelicans)
- The Ringer: (19th overall, Atlanta Hawks)
- Sports Illustrated NBA Draft: (26th overall, Washington Wizards)
- Bleacher Report: (18th overall, Atlanta Hawks)
- NBADraft.net: (21st overall, Cleveland Cavaliers)
- CBSSports: (second round)
Most have Ware going past the halfway point of the first round, with CBSSports having him fall out of the top-30 entirely. Wouldn’t expect him to be an immediate impact as a rookie in the way Tracye Jackson-Davis has with the Warriors, but the league drafts on potential and Ware has that in spades.
He came to Bloomington in part to put those aforementioned motor concerns to rest by working with an NBA coach in Woodson. Safe to say he accomplished that. It’ll be interesting to see what the league thinks.