Former Indiana basketball center Kel’el Ware has career night

A former Indiana basketball player had himself a huge night in the NBA on Thursday.

In the 128-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat rookie center and former Indiana basketball big man Kel’e Ware had a career night for himself. In the loss, Ware finished with 25 points with 18 points coming in the fourth quarter. He also added 3 blocks, as well.

This all happened in just 21 minutes off the bench for the rookie. In total, he shot 9-of-11 from the field including 3-of-4 from behind the arc.

Ware, who was the No. 15 pick in this past year’s draft, has built a strong relationship with his teammates during his rookie season, especially veteran shooting guard and former Kentucky Wildcat Tyler Herro.

“Me and Kel’el, we hang out off the court almost every day, that’s my man right there,” Tyler Herro said to the media. “So I’m excited to just continue to keep growing with him. He listens; he soaks everything up.

“So every time he comes out the game, he learned something from what he just did, his little stint for four or five minutes, he learned something every time he comes out. So he’s only going to get better. I’m just really excited to see him grow.”

The former Indiana basketball big man has appeared in 17 games so far this year for the Miami Heat averaging 5.2 points and 2.5 rebounds per game in 10.3 minutes on average.

In his lone season playing for Mike Woodson and Indiana, Ware was one of the more dominant players in the entire landscape of college basketball with his 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.5 assists per game. His play last season earned him a spot on the All-Big Ten Second Team.

Ware averaged 18.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game and was named to the All-Summer League First Team, as well.

The Miami Heat will host the Utah Jazz on Saturday. Heat are currently 17-15 on the year and No. 6 in the Eastern Conference.

Below are full highlights of Kel’el Ware’s career night for the Miami Heat.

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