Kel’el Ware ready to make big impact for Indiana basketball: ‘(I’m ready) to prove everybody wrong’

Kel’el Ware enters the Indiana basketball program ahead of the 2023-24 season as a significant piece to the puzzle. After the departures of seven players from last season, the Hoosiers needed a total overhaul of their roster.

No loss is bigger than All-American forward Trayce Jackson-Davis.

Over the last month, Ware has been training in California with numerous NBA players, prospects as well as trainers to get ready for what he is expecting to be a ‘great’ sophomore season.

After averaging 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game as a freshman, Ware looks to see increased production and a much larger role with the Hoosiers. He played in 35 games with four starts in 15.8 minutes a game at Oregon.

“Next year my role is going to be way bigger than what it was at Oregon. I’m excited for that change and ready to adapt to it,” Ware told Jonathan Givony of Draft Express.

Inconsistency was one of the blemishes on Ware’s scouting report heading into this offseason.

Ware had 18 points on 6-of-8 from the floor and nine rebounds against UConn in November. Ware also had 17 points and nine rebounds against Michigan State the following game. He scored in double figures in eight games and had at least two blocks in 14 games.

But, Ware started to fall out of the rotation in the second half of the season. He went the final 19 games averaging just 11 minutes a game and scored in double figures just twice. He had six games with three points or less. There were also seven games where he didn’t even see 10 minutes of action.

So this summer is about getting stronger, building up his body and making his game more well-rounded.

“They want to see me be more dominant in the post and be stronger with the ball whenever I catch it,” Ware said of the trainers he’s working with. “I’m working on my three-pointer more and definitely be stronger in the post.

“Just me being able to put the ball on the floor a bit. Shoot the ball, pick and pop. Not just pick and roll or back to the basket. I feel like I can change the game a lot that way.”

The development that Trayce Jackson-Davis had in his two seasons under Mike Woodson was drastic. Nothing was more telling than his senior season, however.

That ability to get the development and coaching from someone like Mike Woodson was critical in Ware’s decision to come to the Indiana basketball program. As someone who was a projected lottery pick heading into his freshman season, soaking up the knowledge from an NBA coach and NBA player stood out.

“He has an NBA background, played in the NBA, coached in the NBA,” Ware said of Woodson. “So I can learn from him and soak in everything he has (to give).”

So — heading into this upcoming season, Ware is ready to put the past behind him and prove he is that same player from this time last year. The goal? Win and prove everyone wrong.

“To prove everybody wrong. About everything people were saying about me last year,” Ware said. “I just feel like I needed to get stronger and needed another year of college to develop my body more.

“I feel like we (Indiana) have a great team. We can make something happen, especially with the recruits coming in. The team that was there last year with X (Xavier Johnson), (Trey) Galloway. I feel like we are going to be great next year.”

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