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Kel’el Ware previews Miami Heat debut with the start of NBA Summer League this weekend

Former IU basketball center Kel’el Ware is prepping for his Miami Heat debut on Saturday as the NBA Summer League gets underway.

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Kel'el Ware
Former IU basketball center Kel'el Ware is prepping for his Miami Heat debut on Saturday as the NBA Summer League gets underway. (Miami Heat)

Former Indiana basketball center Kel’el Ware is a a day away from his professional debut with the Miami Heat as the NBA Summer League begins on Saturday.

Ware, who as the 15th overall pick, signed his rookie contract earlier this week.

“It was a surreal feeling,” Kel’el Ware said on draft 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.”

The 7-footer 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.

That skill was on display with his new teammates this week leading up to the summer league.

“Kel’el is a physical monster,” Heat guard Cole Swider said after their first practice. “You can throw the ball anywhere and he’s going to catch and finish it.”

On Friday, Kel’el Ware spoke with the Miami Heat media ahead of his debut on Saturday afternoon.

Below is the full video interview from Kel’el Ware.

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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Alec Lasley is the owner of Hoosier Illustrated, a comprehensive site covering news, updates and recruiting for Indiana University athletics. Alec has covered Indiana for six years and is a credentialed media member. He has previously worked for both Rivals and 247Sports.

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