What the talented Big Man out of Indiana brings to South Beach.
Kel’el Ware came to Indiana to get to the NBA, and now Mike Woodson got him there. The 7’0” center was on NBA radars before he even got to college, but it took the right coach and right school to show what made him such an intriguing NBA prospect.
The first thing that jumps out about Ware is his mobility and athleticism as a seven footer. He was at his most effective in college when his pick and roll chemistry with Trey Galloway developed over the course of the year.
Part of what makes him so good in the pick and roll offense is his shooting ability. Opposing bigs had to respect him all the way out to the 3-point arc, not just as a spot shooter, but somebody willing to put the ball on the floor to create a jumper for himself.
Last season at Indiana, he hit 42.5% of his 40 attempts. It was a lower volume and higher percentage than his freshman season at Oregon, reflecting a more disciplined approach and understanding of his strengths as a player.
When he’s not shooting, he’s quick enough to beat most bigs back to the basket on a pick and roll and bouncy enough to finish above the rim. He was also able to work alongside another back-to-the-basket big in Malik Renau, making cuts off-ball and finishing lobs.
He’ll probably have to bulk up to be able to really bang in the paint against NBA bigs, but his size and athleticism are enough to make him an effective scorer from day one, if used effectively.
His lean frame will probably be more of a concern on defense, but that should not overshadow his rim-protecting ability. He posted a block rate of 6.5% last year, forcing opposing coaches to draw up outside and midrange shots for their guards.
There were concerns about his work ethic and ability to reach his potential after his freshman season at Oregon, but his sophomore year at Indiana proved those to be unfounded. He led the Hoosiers in scoring and only seemed to improve as the season went on, scoring more than 25 points in 3 of Indiana’s last six games.
Overall, Ware is a guy that has the potential to be in the league for a while, but can also contribute to a team right away. He’s exactly what most (competent) NBA teams are looking for in a center in 2024 and will be a great value for the Heat going forward.