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Kel’el Ware ‘generating realistic consideration’ to be late lottery selection in 2024 NBA Draft

Former Indiana basketball center Kel’el Ware is emerging as a potential lottery pick just two weeks ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft.

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7 months ago

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Indiana basketball, Kel'el Ware
Former Indiana basketball center Kel'el Ware is emerging as a potential lottery pick just two weeks ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft. (Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/NBAE via Getty Images)

Individual and group workouts are in full swing with just two weeks until the 2024 NBA Draft. Now a month removed from the NBA Combine, teams are starting to hone in on their top list of players. For former Indiana basketball center Kel’el Ware, he continues to make noise as one of the top risers over the last month.

Two years removed from being a projected lottery pick, Ware entered this draft as a pretty solidified first-round selection. That comes just one year after being completely off the radar of NBA scouts.

Following a disappointing freshman season at Oregon, his sophomore year with Indiana basketball saw him skyrocket back up NBA draft boards. Ware averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.5 assists and shot 56.8 percent from the field on the season en route to an All-Big Ten Second Team selection during his lone season with Indiana.

Ware finished this season ranked 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.

Throughout the workout process, Ware has been viewed as a potential selection in the late teens to mid 20s. But because of his impressive display during workouts, the combine and his pro day, he’s getting increased consideration for the late lottery says Bleacher Report NBA Draft insider Jonathan Wasserman.

“An impressive pro day of shooting has had teams buzzing about Kel’el Ware,” Wasserman wrote in his updated mock draft. “Sources say he’s generating realistic consideration in the late lottery. The narrative about his underwhelming motor has seemingly been squashed. Ware figures to look highly enticing in a workout setting that can showcase his athleticism at the rim, mobility and high shotmaking skill level.”

Wasserman has Ware mocked at No. 13, up four spots from his previous mock draft.

Recent workouts for Ware have been with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who hold the 20th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and the Portland Trail Blazers, who have both the No. 7 and No. 14 overall pick.

“He has great natural touch around the basket and even with his jump shot,” an anonymous NBA scout told HoosierIllustrated.com about Kel’el Ware. “With his big catch radius and size he’s going to have an advantage in the NBA in those short roller type situations where he’s going to have to hit a floater or finish over the top of a help side defender. That’s going to be his bread and butter.”

The 2024 NBA Draft will take place June 26-27.

SEE ALSO: The five best fits for former Indiana basketball player Kel’el Ware in the NBA

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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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