'Off-the-radar' pick: NBA Draft grades for Kel'el Ware going to the Heat
Scott Horner
The Miami Heat are known for being tough on players. Does Kel'el Ware fit there?
Ware made huge strides in that area in his one season with Indiana basketball, developing into an All-Big Ten player. But coach Erik Spoelstra and team president Pat Riley take it to another level.
Miami picked Ware 15th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Full first round:Big Ten big men go in top half of first round
NBA Draft grades for Kel'el Ware, Miami Heat
Adam Finkelstein, CBS Sports: B-
Ware is the most polarizing prospect in this class. There are a lot of those guys, but he's the most extreme. He's been that way since high school. He has every single tool in the book: size, speed, hands, touch out to the perimeter. But he's said out loud he's not sure how much he loves basketball. There have been questions about motor, physicality, etc. But going to the Heat and Heat culture will be great for him − unless he can't fit in.
Miami gets another athletic shot blocker and Ware could bolster one of the better 3-point shooting teams. At this pick, though, the Heat could've gone with a scoring guard or wing to help with Jimmy Butler's future in doubt.
Robby Kendall, Dime: C+
Candidly, I was surprised by this pick. Ware has tremendous measurables and skills, which aligns with a pick in this range. If the whole package comes together, Ware can become a starting center or better. But his concerns with motor and attentiveness don’t scream “Miami Heat,” so it was a bit of an off-the-radar choice, especially on a team with Bam (Adebayo) already entrenched at center. Still, there is clear upside with Ware.
Yahoo: B+
Ware really made a jump in improvement from his freshman year at Oregon to his sophomore season at Indiana, showing more upside as a pick-and-roll big while putting pressure on the rim. His athleticism helps him guard the perimeter off the switch and he's improved his ball-handling, starting the break off missed shots.
Zach Buckley, Bleacher Report: C
Ware is big and mobile, which has always been an intriguing combination, but it's especially helpful in today's pace-and-space environment. He looks physically ready for the NBA right now, as he could walk into a rim-running, lob-crushing role and perhaps add a pinch of perimeter shooting as well.
That shooting potential is a bit mysterious, though. The gains he made this past season (42.5% from 3) came on low volume (40 attempts in 30 games). He also shot a paltry 63.4% from the foul line. So, who knows who real his improvement will prove? Tack on some concerns regarding his physicality and feel for the game, and he's far from a sure thing despite looking the part.
Wow, what a great test case for how deep HEAT CULTURE runs. Ware is one of the most talented big men in the class — a 7-footer with long arms, an incredibly fast first and second jump, and both the soft touch and willingness to take an open catch-and-shoot 3 with confidence. As with so many prospects over the decades who share Ware’s physical tools, it can be frustrating to watch him when he’s not fully locked in. But the things Ware brings to the table are undeniable. And I don’t know if you’re allowed to not be fully locked in for Miami. When the Heat selected Jaime Jaquez Jr. last year, I didn’t quite see the vision; I gave the pick a C+. That seemed to have worked out well. Let’s try it again.
Kyle Irving, Sporting News: B+
Ware's mobility, athleticism and potential to stretch the floor makes him a great fit with the Heat. He's a rim protector and lob catcher with developing offensive skills.
Once a five-star, top recruit coming out of high school, where better to maximize his talents than a renowned player development program like Miami?