Ware was selected by the Heat with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. As a sophomore last year in Indiana, Ware earned spots on the All-Big Ten Second Team (media) and the All-Big Ten Defensive Team. The 7-footer showed upside as a rim-protecting stretch five, blocking 1.9 shots and making 0.6 threes at 42.5 percent in 32.2 minutes per game. He's also a phenomenal athlete capable of highlight-reel dunks, giving him intriguing offensive upside in a league so reliant on pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop offense. The reason Ware was drafted in the middle of the first round rather than higher is largely due to mixed effort and decision-making, not to mention a lack of desire to play with physicality. In terms of his immediate role, Ware could slot in as Bam Adebayo's backup, though there's potential for the two to share the floor. Ware put up some impressive Summer League performances, averaging 18.3 points and 0.4 threes on 58/20/68 shooting, 8.4 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.1 assists in 26.7 minutes. Read Past Outlooks
$Signed a two-year, $9.54 million contract with the Heat in July of 2024. Contract includes $5.12 million team option for 2026-27.
Personal Bio/PreCareer Summary
Ware began playing basketball in the third grade in Sherwood, Arkansas. He went on to play high school basketball at North Little Rock High School where he helped lead his team to back-to-back championships as a junior and senior. In 2022, Ware competed in the Jordan Brand Classic, was named a McDonald's High School All-American and was a Naismith National High School Boys Basketball All-America honorable mention. That same year, he won a gold medal at the FIBA U18 Americas Championship in Tijuana, Mexico and was a member of the 2022 USA Nike Hoop Summit Team. Ware was a consensus five-star recruit and committed to Oregon. After a relatively quiet freshman campaign, he transferred to Indiana, where he enjoyed a breakout campaign. In 2023-24, Ware averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.5 assists in 32.1 minutes across 30 appearances, all of which were starts. The 7-foot big man also displayed his outside shooting potential, converting 42.5% of his 1.3 three-point attempts per contest. For his efforts, Ware was named Second-Team All-Big Ten by the media and got a spot on the Big Ten All-Defensive Team. Ware possesses a highly-coveted skill set. He can stretch the floor on offense while protecting the rim on defense. The big man has an array of post moves at his disposal and can find open teammates when facing a double team. In the pick-and-roll, Ware can pop out to three, be a capable passer in the short roll or finish lobs. Defensively, Ware is able to utilize his length and 7-foot frame to stay vertical and erase shots at the rim. Ware's skill set is comparable to Myles Turner and Mo Bamba when considering their abilities to stretch the floor on offense and provide elite rim protection on defense. While Ware's outside shot will ultimately determine how high his ceiling is, he has already shown he can be a lob threat and short-roll passer in the pick-and-roll. Combined with his shot-blocking capability, Ware has the potential to be a starting big man in the NBA.
Returns from G League
CMiami Heat
December 10, 2024
Miami recalled Ware from the G League's Sioux Falls Skyforce on Monday.
ANALYSIS Ware played for the Skyforce in Sunday's 114-112 G League loss to Grand Rapids, finishing with 20 points (9-14 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT), 10 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and two steals over 31 minutes. At the NBA level, however, Ware has played just 6.9 minutes per game across 10 contests this season.
2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Starting/Off Bench
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2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats - Days Rest
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2024
Stat Review
How does Kel'el Ware compare to other players?
This section compares his stats with all players from the previous three seasons (minimum 200 minutes played)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
True Shooting %
An advanced statistic that measures a player's efficiency at shooting the ball that takes field goal percentage, free throw percentage, and three point percentage into account.
Effective Field Goal %
A statistic that adjusts field goal percentage to account for the fact that three-point field goals count for three points while field goals only count for two points.
3-Point Attempt Rate
Percentage of field goal attempts from three point range.
Free Throw Rate
Number of free throw attempts per field goal attempt.
Offensive Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available offensive rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Defensive Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available defensive rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Total Rebound %
An estimate of the percentage of available rebounds a player grabbed while they were on the floor.
Assist %
An estimate of the percentage of teammate field goals a player assisted while they were on the floor.
Steal %
An estimate of the percentage of opponent possessions that end with a steal by the player while they were on the floor.
Block %
An estimate of the percentage of opponent two-point field goal attempts blocked by the player while they were on the floor.
Turnover %
An estimate of turnovers committed per 100 plays.
Usage %
An estimate of the percentage of team plays used by a player while they were on the floor.
Fantasy Points Per Game
NBA Fantasy Points Per Game.
Fantasy Points Per Minute
NBA Fantasy Points Per Minute.
True Shooting %
53.5%
Effective Field Goal %
51.7%
3-Point Attempt Rate
24.1%
Free Throw Rate
6.9%
Offensive Rebound %
5.3%
Defensive Rebound %
24.9%
Total Rebound %
15.1%
Assist %
1.9%
Steal %
1.6%
Block %
8.2%
Turnover %
11.4%
Usage %
17.8%
Fantasy Points Per Game
7.9
Fantasy Points Per Minute
1.0
Total
Per Game
Per 36
NBA Historical Fantasy Stats
How are these ratings calculated?
Our historical fantasy ratings are standard scores calculated using 8-Category settings with 12 teams and 13 players per team.
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NBA Per Game Historical Fantasy Stats
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NBA Per 36 Historical Fantasy Stats
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Historical ADP
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Heat Depth Chart
Our full team depth charts are reserved for RotoWire subscribers.
Average Fantasy Points are determined when Kel'el Ware was active vs. non-active during the season. Click here to view average fantasy points for a different time period.
Minutes
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
Sorare
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More Fantasy News
Posts all-around outing in G League
CSioux Falls Skyforce G League (Heat)
December 9, 2024
Ware finished with 20 points (9-14 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT), 10 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and two steals across 31 minutes Sunday in the G League Sioux Falls Skyforce's 114-112 G League loss to the Grand Rapids Drive.
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Returns to action in G League
CSioux Falls Skyforce G League (Heat)
December 6, 2024
Ware (foot) posted 17 points (7-14 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, two steals, two blocks and across 28 minutes for the G League's Sioux Falls Skyforce during Thursday's 102-81 win over the Windy City Bulls.
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Heads to G League
CSioux Falls Skyforce G League (Heat)
Foot
December 3, 2024
The Heat assigned Ware (foot) to the G League's Sioux Falls Skyforce on Monday.
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Won't suit up Monday
CMiami Heat
Foot
December 2, 2024
Ware (foot) will not play Monday against the Celtics.
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Won't play Sunday
CMiami Heat
Foot
December 1, 2024
Ware (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raptors.
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ANALYSIS Ware was the 15th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, meaning the Heat believe in his long-term potential, but it seems the coaching staff will try to develop him slowly rather than giving him 20 to 25 minutes per game in The Association right away. For what it's worth, Ware pieced together a strong Summer League campaign, averaging 17.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.6 blocks over five appearances.