‘People are going to be disappointed they didn’t take him’: Former IU basketball center Kel’el Ware is already positioned to be the ‘steal’ of the 2024 NBA Draft

The 2024 NBA draft class has not gotten as much of praise as previous classes before them. With no surefire ‘superstars’ in this year’s class, multiple teams throughout the league made some gambles to say the least with who they selected to join their organization. One player that went in the first round just outside the lottery that many thought was a little bit of a gamble was former IU basketball center, Kel’el Ware.

Ware, after only playing just one season for IU basketball, was selected at the No. 15 spot by the Miami Heat. The true 7-foot big man was one of the more intriguing prospects in this year’s NBA draft class. With questions on his motor, among other things, Ware was one of the players that many really did not know where exactly he would land.

Some thought he was worth a lottery selection, others thought he would go late first round.

One team that though he was perfect for them was the Miami Heat, however. For a team that was looking to revamped their front court, Ware was a near perfect fit for them due to his versatility and ability to protect the rim.

Ware would go onto display just that in this seasons NBA summer league. He averaged 18.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game and was named to the All-Summer League First Team.

“His motor’s been amazing,” Former Heat forward and current VP of Basketball Development Udonis Haslem said. “The first thing I said was I love the rebounds. Bring that motor. Bring that activity. Bring that competitive nature.”

“We challenge him daily and he loves the challenge to get as many rebounds as possible,” Heat Summer League coach Dan Bisaccio said about Ware. “We said ‘you can’t get anything less than 10 [rebounds]. We need you going after those. We need you cleaning the boards. And we need you protecting the rim.’ That’s something that he’s really taken that challenge and he’s running with it. It’s just something that he’s embraced daily and we’re going to continue to challenge him.

More: Indiana basketball center Kel’el Ware receives high praise from Miami Heat teammate

The former IU basketball big man really turned some heads due to his excellent play in the summer league. He went from being a guy that had a lot of questions built around him to a player that may be the steal of the 2024 NBA draft.

One anonymous NBA scout has certainly bought into the idea of the Miami Heat saw in Ware to take him at the No. 15 spot. So much so, that he thinks the 14 teams that passed on the former IU basketball center are going to be kicking themselves as Ware’s career progresses.

“They got a steal with Ware,” a NBA scout said to the Miami Herald. “Everyone questioned his motor at Oregon; nobody questioned the talent. And people are going to be disappointed they didn’t take him before Miami selected him 15th.”

“His shot blocking was off the charts in Summer League. He got up and down the floor. He’s always been considered a talented offensive player, but he did it more consistently than people expected. He really shined. This is going to give Bam [Adebayo] the ability to not be at the five [center] full time.”

In his lone season with the Hoosiers, he averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.5 assists per game. His play last season earned him a spot on the All-Big Ten Second Team. He went from being a player that you often wondered if he liked playing the game of basketball to one of the more dominant and consistent bigs in the Big Ten.

He was the third IU basketball player under Mike Woodson that has been drafted to the NBA.

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