How ESPN graded Miami Heat’s first-round selection of Kel’el Ware

Kel’el Ware became the 28th first-round selection from the Indiana basketball program, but it didn’t come without some questions. The 7-footer was one of the more intriguing prospects projected in the first round coming into the 2024 NBA Draft — because of the narrative that unfortunately follows him from his freshman year.

Ware did everything and more last season to discredit the ‘lazy’ or ‘lack of motor’ narrative that scouts had labeled him. He earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors and was one of the top centers in all of college basketball. His efficiency and effectiveness was greatly improved from his freshman season. His overall skillset shined through in what was a ‘perfect fit’ playing for Mike Woodson and Indiana basketball.

Heading into Wednesday’s first round, Ware had worked out for 16 different teams. He was one of the more difficult players to figure out exactly where he’d land. He was projected to go from mid lottery all the way to end of the first round.

When the Miami Heat were on the clock at No. 15, however, it was a no-brainer to take Kel’el Ware in their mind.

“I think this is a perfect place for him,” Heat assistant general manager Adam Simon said. “And I think it’s a great match for Kel’el to maximize his skillset.”

His skillset is ideal in Simon’s mind to pair alongside Bam Adebayo, as well as play alone in the front court.

While the Heat see the vision and fit, and strongly discredit the ‘lazy’ narrative, how do analysts feel about Ware’s match with Miami — and more specifically the spot when he was selected?

“The intel around Ware’s lack of intensity from his recent pre-draft workouts caused several teams to speculate he might fall all the way to the end of the first round or possibly to the second round,” ESPN Draft insider Jonathan Givony wrote. “In the end, the Heat, known for the emphasis they place on toughness, consistent energy and conditioning, drafted him.”

Givony hinted at the Heat potentially taking Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht who had fallen out of the top-10, in one of the bigger developments of the first round.

In the end, Givony labeled Ware as one of the ‘biggest surprises’ of night one.

“It will be interesting to see how the careers of Knecht and Ware unfold from here, as many around the NBA were certainly surprised to see this shift in draft strategy that possibly signals more changes are underway,” Givony added.

For Ware, however, the Heat are the perfect fit for him and the beginning of his NBA career.

“All of them are hardworking. They push their players past their limits. I feel like that’s the best place for me,” Kel’el Ware said of the Heat organization. “Especially with me going there, I know they are going to push me past my limits, push me past that wall to be the best player that I can be and compete.”

Ware credits Indiana for helping shape the trajectory of his career

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Ware was a projected lottery pick heading into his freshman year at Oregon but after an inconsistent season and a fit that just didn’t mesh, a fresh start was needed.

The same reason for Ware’s interest in Miami is why he picked Indiana once he entered the transfer portal.

“A lot of people go into the transfer portal for money,” Ware said on Wednesday. “I went in there for the right fit and I found the right fit. That definitely helped my career. Going into my sophomore season, actually getting to know the coaches. Just learning more things about the team just before I made the decision.”

SEE ALSO: ‘It’s a great match’: Kel’el Ware finds new home with Miami Heat — a place that will ‘push me past my limits’

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