A large, long, vertical pivot to protect the rim, with real potential to develop a long distance shot: Kel'el Ware could only panic the NBA. The Indiana pivot, however, missed his university debut, with a disappointing first season with Oregon, which he left after only one year.
It has done him a lot of good, since he has resumed the career path that was predicted for him under the orders of Mike Woodson, former technician for the Hawks or the Knicks. There is no shortage of talent, nor is there room for improvement. But there are also real doubts about his ability to impose himself at the next level.
Profile
Job : pivot
Size : 2m13
Weight : 104 kg
Team : Indiana Hoosiers (NCAA)
Stats 2023/24: 15.9 points (at 58.6%), 9.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists in 32.1 minutes
Strong points
– Athletic qualities. At 2.10 m tall with his shoes on and almost 2.90 m tall with his arms in the air, Kel'el Ware makes his presence felt on the floor. His wingspan, also impressive at 2m25, allows him to cover a large area of the floor, particularly near the defending circle (1.9 blocks / match). Kel'el Ware is also more mobile, to dismiss the game on a shot after a screen (42.5% at 3-points, but on a low volume), or to get the ball at altitude in the alley-oop.
– Post play. If he sometimes appears borrowed in the attack of the circle, Kel'el Ware is much more comfortable with his back to the game. His touch and his palette are interesting between hooks and fadeaway, where he simply becomes too big to really be stopped. Not sure, however, that this weapon can be used as much in the NBA.
Weakness
– His body language. Kel'el Ware has not corrected his annoying tendency to “disconnect” from a match in two years at university. It is not uncommon to see him suddenly drastically limit his rebounding efforts, or no longer be as intense on contact under the rim. “ During his first year at Oregon, he was very soft, played without harshness and didn't talk much » notes an NBA executive at HoopsHype. He has almost systematically suffered against the best pivots in the NCAA.
Comparison
Sometimes compared with Derek Lively II by its verticality, its qualities as a last defensive curtain and its progressive shot can take it on the trajectory of a Myles Turner more airy like that of a Jaxson Hayeswhich never really exploded.
Prognosis
Second half of the first round. Called up in the second round of invitations for the “Green Toom”, Kel’el Ware has already spent more than a dozen training sessions with franchises according to ESPNa sign of interest in it.
