The Miami Heat drafted Kel’el Ware with the 15th overall pick in 2024. There is no guarantee a mid-first-round selection plays as a rookie, but he wasted no time showcasing his skill set. Ware averaged 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.5 blocks in 26.5 minutes per game over six contests as he helped the Heat win the Las Vegas Summer League title. The 20-year-old has looked ready for the jump and adds a new dimension to the Heat.
Some were skeptical of his summer league performance. Ware was a top-ten player coming out of high school in 2022 but struggled to get minutes during his freshman season at Oregon. The seven-footer transferred to Indiana where his play significantly improved. Ware averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks, but failed to find his way into the lottery. There were questions about his motor, ability to shoot, and overall skill set.
The Heat have raved about the rookie, and he had a monster first preseason contest. Both are confirming what Miami fans already knew about Ware.
Kel’el Ware is the next underrated find by the Heat
Ware is embracing Heat Culture and letting it bring the best out of him. Finding an athletic seven-footer capable of firing away from 3-point range and protecting the rim is not easy. Ware shot 42.5 percent from long-range over 40 attempts in college last season and was all over the floor in the preseason opener.
Kel'el Ware tonight:
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 9, 2024
13 points, 5 rebounds, 4 blocks & 2 steals in 17 minutes of play pic.twitter.com/lOgHxOygeE
Miami needs more athleticism and defense on the floor. Ware is a lob threat and potential floor spacer. He still needs to prove he can consistently hit jumpers from the longer NBA range, but the potential is there. The Heat are bringing the best out of him and loving every second of it.
Udonis Haslem has raved about Ware and even called him the best center on their roster. That comment may have just been to motivate Bam Adebayo, but Ware is proving he is ready for minutes as a 20-year-old rookie. That is not always the case for a mid-first-round draft pick with questions about his motor.
The Heat are known for finding undervalued young talent. Jamie Jaquez and Adebayo were both mid-first-rounders who have blossomed in South Beach. Nikola Jovic was the 27th overall pick, and Miami even finds undrafted players like Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, and Haywood Highsmith. Ware is shaping up to be the next name that well outperforms his draft position.
The Miami Heat knew they selected a special talent who was ready to make an impact. Fans saw it during summer league. It was the rest of the league that was slow to warm up, but everyone is singing his praises now. Expect Kel’el Ware to showcase plenty as a rookie and become a key piece for the franchise build-around. Hat tip to Pat Riley and the front office for another stellar draft choice.