Kel’el Ware ‘keeps taking steps forward’ during rookie campaign for Miami Heat

There’s no question that the Miami Heat organization is surrounded by a lot of outside noise as the recent developments surrounding Jimmy Butler’s trade request continues to be a dark cloud over the season. But for rookie big man Kel’el Ware — he’s not letting the noise distract him.

Like any rookie in the NBA, the first quarter of the season is typically the hardest. Adjusting to the travel, the speed of the game, the new schedules. And for the 7-footer, it was an adjustment period. After being selected 15th overall by the Heat in last summer’s NBA Draft, Ware shined during the NBA Summer League and showed that he may be a producer and key role player immediately. After a few weeks of inconsistent playing time and inconsistent production, the recent surge shows just how high his ceiling can be.

Ware averaged just 3.3 points and 2.5 rebounds a game in 9.1 minutes over the Heat’s first 30 games — making just 15 appearances. He did not have a double-digit scoring or rebounding game.

In the last nine games, however, Kel’el Ware has seen his production jump to 11.2 points and 5.7 rebounds a game in 19.7 minutes. He’s also adding 1.4 blocks a game. He has four double-digit scoring games, including his career-high 25 points agains the Pacers, but he also has added two double-digit rebounding games — one double-double.

Ware’s first double-double came his week against the Clippers, a 19-point, 13-rebound effort.

“He’s making improvements,” Heat head coach Eric Spoelstra said. “His 13 rebounds — he even could’ve had a couple more. He changed some shots under the rim. We still want him to elevate and there were probably three or four more he could’ve got to … he’s making progress, it seems to be every day he’s learning something new.”

Ware has seen extended minutes over the last two weeks with the absence and limited playing time of Kevin Love — who has played in just two of the last 14 games.

For Kel’el Ware, regardless if it’s a double-double, 20-point night or limited minutes, he’s here to learn and continue to grow.

“Any and every game will be a lesson for me,” Ware said. “Where I can go back look at it and learn from it.”

That type of learning mentality and sponge-type mindset has resonated with his coaches and teammates.

And it has helped set himself up for future success moving forward.

“He’s one of my favorite players in the NBA,” Heat guard Tyler Herro said after Ware’s double-double night. “Watching him grow, (I’m) really excited for it. He’s a guy that keeps taking steps forward. He loves to learn. Loves to pick up on different things and I’m excited to watch him grow (more).”

On the season, the former Indiana basketball standout is averaging 6.5 points and 3.7 rebounds in 13.1 minutes a game.

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