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

It was a long journey for Indiana basketball center Kel’el Ware. A one-time sure-fire lottery pick to an afterthought on NBA draft boards. To people doubting his love for the game and desire to work. It wasn’t easy but Wednesday was the moment that Ware had waited for — and worked so hard for — over the last few years.

So, when he heard his named called by the Miami Heat with the 15th overall pick, he spent a few extra moments embracing his mom. The emotions were real and noticeable — it was a moment Ware had always dreamed about.

“It was a surreal feeling,” Kel’el Ware said on Wednesday night. “I mean, especially just sitting in that chair waiting, just to figure out which team was going to get me. For them (Heat) to pick me, a lot of emotions were just going through me. I’m definitely blessed.”

“His name kept popping up all the time in front of me,” Heat President Pat Riley said on Friday. “The videos kept coming, the workout was exceptional on the day that he was here, and we never ever deviated from where he was on the board.”

His blessed feeling and emotion didn’t stop when he heard his name called. He even took a moment to himself as he walked up the stairs to pick up his hat before greeting NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. It was almost a feeling of relief from the 7-footer.

Relief, because if you rewind to 12 months ago, all of the discussion around him was a ‘lazy’ narrative. People doubted his motor and doubted his ability to reach his potential.

It’s well-documented the struggles Ware had at Oregon. But when it came down to it, the Miami Heat didn’t see that narrative at all that seemed to follow Ware, still up to Wednesday.

“I think that’s a low hanging fruit description of him. Kel’el is not that,” Heat assistant general manager Adam Simon said. “He went to Oregon and was playing behind an established player, an older player. He played in every game out there. Saw a better situation for himself to go to Indiana and I don’t think — he showed what he can do and played with a motor and played with intensity (at Indiana). We are talking about a young player that has an edge to him and he doesn’t feel like that description of him — he has shown that he is going to come out and put points on the board, block shots, he rebounds — to me that doesn’t seem like a player that fits that (lazy) description.”

The Heat are a perfect fit — both with his skillset and culturally

Jun 26, 2024; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Kel’el Ware poses for photos with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected in the first round by the Miami Heat in the 2024 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Kel’el Ware conducted 16 pre-draft workouts. His name was floated around as a potential lottery pick or all the way at the end of the first round. But, both he and the Heat believe this is a terrific fit — and the right fit.

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

“All of them are hardworking. They push their players past their limits. I feel like that’s the best place for me,” Ware added. “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.”

Beyond the culture fit, led by Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra, the entire Heat organization see someone who brings a skillset that they need.

“Kel’el is a three and D center. It is not easy to find 7-footers that can play out on the perimeter offensively and also be able to defend with his ability to shot block and defend the post,” Simon said. “For us, that was very appealing.

“He’s going to give us versatility on both ends. I think his skillset fits us, the things he does well are the things coach Spo is going to be able to use. I think it’s a great fit. He’s got — the ability to block shots, defend the rim, shoot 3s. He’s got a great touch in the post. There’s a lot of — his skillset will be great to play with Bam and as well as when Bam is off the court.”

“We feel very fortunate that we were able to get the specific player we wanted, that can complement our team, can complement Bam,” Riley added.

So as Ware took a moment to soak everything in, he reflected back on the one moment a little over a year ago that changed things for him — Indiana basketball.

“A lot of people go into the transfer portal for money,” Ware said. “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: As Kel’el Ware takes the next step in his journey with the NBA Draft this week, he’s not ready to just check a box — ‘Still more to prove’

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