Michael NiziolekThe Herald-Times
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The Miami Heat drafted Indiana basketball center Kel'el Ware with the No. 15 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday night.
Ware was in attendance as one of more than two dozen players invited to attend the first night of the draft at the Brooklyn's Barclays Center.
It's the first time the Hoosiers have produced first-round picks in consecutive years since 2013-14. Former Indiana guard Jalen Hood-Schifino was drafted 17th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023. He's the 80th former IU player drafted.
Ware set his sights on the moment since he signed with Indiana as a transfer in April 2023. He was of one of the top prospects in the 2022 signing class —the then-five-star recruit ranked No. 7 overall, according to 247 Sports —with aspirations of being a one-and-done lottery pick.
More: Indiana basketball's Kel'el Ware feels Mike Woodson prepared him for NBA success
Indiana basketball center Kel'el Ware rebuilds his draft stock
The 7-foot-4 center didn't have the immediate success he hoped for after signing with Oregon coming out of North Little Rock High School in Arkansas. He played sporadically during his lone season in Eugene and his former coach Dana Altman questioned his effort.
Indiana coach Mike Woodson promised to help get Ware's dream back on track.
"He just told me he was going to get me back to where I needed to be," Ware said. "If I chose to come to Indiana, he would be able to get me back here, he would be able to get me ready for it and I feel like that’s what he did."
Ware earned All-Big Ten honors from the coaches (third) and media (second) in 2023-24 and made the conference's All-Defensive Team. Opposing coaches like Wisconsin's Greg Gard and Michigan State's Tom Izzo went out of their way to praise Ware after facing him. Those comments came during a four-game losing streak to close out the regular season when Ware averaged 22.5 points (72.7%), 12.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game.
On the season, he averaged 15.9 points(58.6%), 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. He's only the third player in the last 25 years (D.J. White, Trayce Jackson-Davis) to average at least 15.0 points and 9.0 rebounds a season.
That consistent production combined with a strong showing at the NBA combine —he had a 3/4 court run of 3.29 seconds and 36-inch vertical jump —helped his draft stock rise in the weeks leading up to the draft.
Indiana basketball center Kel'el Ware could land immediate role with the Miami Heat
Ware could have a prominent role next season for Miami off the bench backing up three-time all star Bam Adebayo. The former Kentucky standout has two years left on his current deal, but could sign an extension this offseason at just 27 years old.
Adebayo averaged 19.3 points, a career-high 10.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.
The Heat don't have much front court depth locked in for next season. Thomas Bryant and veteran Kevin Love have player options for next season and both have until June 29 to opt in to the contracts. They also have Orlando Robinson signed to a non-guaranteed contract for next season.
Miami also doesn't have a ton of cap space to operate with in free agency.
"This was kind of their free agency as far as what they did in the draft with pick 15,"ESPN's NBA front office insiderBobby Marks said, on the broadcast. "If he was a free agent in this year's group of NBA players, he would probably be the third or fourth best center out there. They addressed a need in Miami with this pick right now."
ESPN analyst Jay Bilas gave the pick high marks.
"The biggest jump that Kel'el Ware made from the time he was at Oregon to his time last year at Indiana was how much harder he plays now," Bilas said. "The question about him when he was at Oregon was his motor. His motor revved really high this past season at Indiana. His measurable are great, 7-4 wingspan, he's 6-11, but he's long armed and super athletic. He puts pressure on the rim on both ends of the floor."
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
