Ware Brings Much-Needed Size to Miami at Seven Feet Tall
The newest addition to the Miami Heat roster is Kel’el Ware, who was selected with the 15th overall pick in the NBA Draft out of the University of Indiana. After his special moment, Ware spoke to the local media, expressing gratitude for the faith shown in him by Heat president Pat Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra.
Standing at seven feet tall, Ware provides Miami with the size they need, potentially forming a dynamic duo with star Bam Adebayo. Despite his size, Ware’s impressive athleticism ensures that the team’s pace won’t be compromised. This aligns with the vision of Riley and Spoelstra, as Ware expressed his excitement to work with such influential figures.
“Those are like huge figures,” Ware said. “Being able to build relationships with them, learn from them, and soak everything up like a sponge will help me not only as a basketball player but also as a person.”
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Ware Reflects on His Pre-Draft Workout with the Heat
Ware was one of many players the Heat evaluated during the NBA Draft process. The 20-year-old Indiana product made a significant impression on the team’s front office and scouting department. Ware aimed to showcase his capabilities during the workout, which evidently paid off.
“I feel like it was good, especially at the workout,” Ware said. “I tried to show them what I could do, and I see that they liked it.”
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Ware’s Reaction to Hearing His Name Called in the NBA Draft
In addition to his time at Indiana, Ware also played for the University of Oregon during his freshman year, totaling two seasons in college. In his final season with the Hoosiers, he averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting 58.6 percent from the field.
“It was so many emotions rushing through,” Ware said about hearing his name called by the Heat. “Once my agent told me that’s where I was going, memories of playing basketball and all the work I put in started to rush through my head. It was a surreal feeling. I’m thankful, grateful, and blessed.”
Aiming for Immediate Impact
Ware looks to join the ranks of productive mid-first-round picks by the Heat, following in the footsteps of Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. from UCLA. He hopes to help Miami bounce back after their 46-36 record last season, which saw them as the eighth seed for the second straight year and eliminated in the first round of the NBA Playoffs by the Boston Celtics.
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