Kel’el Ware, the 15th overall choice in the NBA Draft out of Indiana University, will be the newest member of the Miami Heat. He addressed to the local media following his memorable moment, when he discussed having the faith of those within the Heat organization such as president Pat Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra.
Ware stands seven feet tall and provides Miami with much-needed size. He could potentially be teamed with star Bam Adebayo, and his eye-opening athleticism ensures that the team’s speed is not sacrificed. This appears to be Riley and Spoelstra’s desire, as Ware told ClutchPoints that he is thrilled to be able to collaborate with “huge figures” like them.
“Those are like huge figures,” Ware added. “So simply being able to develop those relationships with them. And even learn from them and, you know, take everything up like a sponge, and I believe that will benefit me not only as a basketball player, but also as a regular person, with my personality and all that comes with it.”
Ware discusses the pre-draft workout with the Heat.
Ware was one of many players checked out by the Heat during the NBA Draft process before to Wednesday’s first round, and the 20-year-old clearly pleased. Even the Indiana University product stated that the main goal was to demonstrate the team’s front office and scouting staff what he is “capable of doing.”
“I mean, I feel like it was good, especially during the workout,” Ware said of his workout with the Heat. “I got the hat on so they picked me, I tried to show them what I could do with the workout what I was capable of doing and I see that they liked it.”
Ware discusses hearing his name called during the NBA draft.
Aside from Indiana, Ware spent his first year at the University of Oregon, where he played for two seasons. In his final season with the Hoosiers, he averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, shooting 58.6 percent from the field.
“It was so many emotions just like rushing through,” Ware said when asked how it felt to hear his name called and be selected by the Heat. “Once my agent told me that’s where I was headed, it felt like all my memories from growing up playing basketball started to flow through my head, along with all I did and all the work I put into finally hearing my name called. It felt strange. So, I am thankful, grateful, and blessed.
Ware is trying to make an early impact and join the Heat’s roster of productive middle-of-first-round draft picks, which includes Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and, most recently, Jaime Jaquez Jr. from UCLA. At any rate, he hopes to help Miami rebound from a 46-36 record that landed them as the eighth seed for the second consecutive season after being defeated in the first round of the NBA Playoffs by the Boston Celtics.
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