Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware has quickly emerged as one of the most promising young big men in the NBA. With a fascinating combination of skill, size, and athleticism, Ware has begun to provide the statistics to round his rise to prominence into form.
With consistency finally becoming an element of Ware's appeal, there's only one broad development left to focus on: Becoming a more assertive player.
Ware turned in a strong 2024-25 season. He recorded averages of 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.8 offensive boards, and 1.1 blocks in 22.2 minutes per game, shooting 55.4 percent from the field and earning All-Rookie Second Team honors.
Along the way, Ware displayed the potential to become a two-way force of nature with floor-spacing capabilities revealed by his 35 three-point field goals made on 31.5 percent shooting from distance.
What Ware's season averages fail to reflect, however, is how much of a leap he made after the calendar turned from 2024 to 2025. He posted each of his 26 games with at least 10 points on or after Jan. 1, and did the same in regard to his 23 outings with at least 10 rebounds.
Heat fans have been waiting for Ware to turn his early-year progress into a consistent display of what he's capable of, however, and he appears to be turning that corner.
Kel'el Ware must blend consistency with assertiveness to make the leap
For as intriguing as Ware's production was on and after Jan. 1, inconsistency remained an issue. He had 26 games with at least 10 points once the calendar turned to 2025, but he also produced 23 in which he failed to reach that mark.
Furthermore, Ware followed a stretch of three consecutive 20-point games by failing to score 20 in any of the 36 games that followed.
Some of Ware's inconsistency can be attributed to how his role within Erik Spoelstra's system never truly settled as the season progressed. There is a need for accountability, however, as Ware's passive approach made him his own worst enemy at times when it seemed as though he was due to break out.
Thankfully, after a tough start to the 2025-26 regular season, Ware is turning a corner and putting together the type of performances that can solidify his place as a full-time starter.
Kel'el Ware is beginning to put the pieces together for the Heat
Ware has scored at least 14 points in each of his past four games and has reached 13 in six of his past eight. In one of the two exceptions, he recorded nine points, 12 rebounds, five offensive boards, and three blocks in just 23 minutes against the Portland Trail Blazers.
The next time out, Ware tallied 14 points, 20 rebounds, and seven offensive boards in an overtime win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Ware has now exceeded 10 rebounds in seven of his past eight appearances, thus setting the pace to establish a valuable skill that can secure his future in the starting lineup. The difference between his recent stretch and 2024-25, however, is that he's not allowing himself to fade into the background on offense.
A proven and productive shot-blocker and rebounder, Ware is rounding his offensive game into form at 11.2 points and 1.0 three-point field goals made per game on .544/.389/.760 shooting in 2025-26.
Furthermore, he's currently on pace to increase his averages by 1.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.3 offensive boards, 0.5 steals, 0.4 blocks, and 0.6 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes. That steady line of improvement is a testament to the consistency he's beginning to provide.
Once Ware has mastered the art of consistency, the next step will be asserting himself as a factor on offense with the skill set to score with even greater volume.