Former IU basketball standout Kel’el Ware signs rookie deal with Miami Heat

Former IU basketball standout center Kel’el Ware has officially signed his rookie deal with the Miami Heat. The Heat officially announced the signing of Ware, who was the 15th overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft, on Tuesday.

Ware’s rookie deal is a 4-year, $22.5 million contract with the Heat. It includes a little over $9.5 million guaranteed. In his rookie year, Kel’el War will earn a base salary of $4,6 million. His average annual salary will be slightly over $5.6 million. The first two years of his deal are guaranteed while the final two years of his deal are team options.

The team option deadline is Oct. 31 both years.

“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.”

Ware was just the third IU basketball player to have averages of at least 15.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in a single season in the last 25 years, joining D.J. White and Trayce Jackson-Davis. Ware averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game in 32.2 minutes per game. Those were vastly improved from his freshman season at Oregon where he averaged 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 15.8 minutes per game.

In Big Ten play alone, Kel’el Ware averaged 16.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. He led the league in field goal percent at 63.2 percent shooting from the floor.

Related: Skillset of Kel’el Ware ‘opens it up’ for Heat and front court running mate Bam Adebayo — ‘We want him to be special’

Ware joins a core group on the Miami Heat that consists of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Terry Rosier, Nikola Jović, Kevin Love and Duncan Robinson.

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

Kel’el Ware credits Mike Woodson, Indiana basketball for development

Dec 5, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Mike Woodson talks to Indiana Hoosiers center Kel’el Ware (1) in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Ware came into his freshman season as a projected lottery pick but after his disappointing season at Oregon, he fell off all draft boards. Scouts criticized his motor and love for the game. So, when he entered the transfer portal, he took his time to figure out what he wanted.

“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.”

It was a good choice. One that resulted in him ranking second in the Big Ten in rebounds per game, third in rebound percent, fourth in player efficiency rating, fifth in blocks per game, sixth in block percentage, eighth in total box plus/minus and 11th in offensive rating.

Kel’el Ware became the second-straight first round selection for IU basketball, the first time that had happened since the 2013 and 2014 NBA Drafts (’13: Victor Oladipo, Cody Zeller, ’14: Noah Vonleh).

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’