Indianasophom*ore centerKel'el Waremade huge developmental strides this past season with the Hoosiers, and this week the 7-footer will hear his name called in the 2024 NBA Draft. Ware's draft projections have largely varied across media publications and prognosticators, but if he is selected in the first round as many predict, it will mark the second-straight seasonMike Woodsonhas sent a first-round selection to the NBA.
In the 2023 NBA Draft, former Indiana starsJalen Hood-SchifinoandTrayce Jackson-Daviswere selected in the first and second rounds, respectively. Hood-Schifino fell just outside of the lottery and went 17th overall to theLos Angeles Lakers, while Jackson-Davis slid to the No. 57 overall pick to theGolden State Warriors.
Ware, a former five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American, blossomed at IU in his second college season after transferring fromOregonlast offseason.The second-team All-Big Ten selection set new career-highs in minutes per game (32.2), points (15.9), rebounds (9.9), blocks (1.9), field-goal percentage (58.6%), 3-point percentage (42.5%) andsignificant improvements in several more statistical categories.
With the NBA Draft beginning Wednesday, June 26, in Brooklyn, N.Y., here is an updated look at Ware's draft projections and what national writers are saying about Ware's fit in the NBA.All relevant links can be accessed by clicking on the bold font below.
Krysten Peek (Yahoo! Sports):No. 11 overall to theChicago Bulls— "Lonzo Ball could be returning at some point next season and Coby White is coming off a great season, possibly becoming the lead guard for the franchise. Where the Bulls need help is in the frontcourt, and Ware was solid at Indiana with his rim protection and movement in the pick-and-roll."
Jonathan Wasserman (Bleacher Report): No. 13 overall to theSacramento Kings — "An impressive pro day of shooting has had teams buzzing about Kel'el Ware. Sources say he's generating realistic consideration in the late lottery.The narrative about his underwhelming motor has seemingly been squashed.Ware figures to look highly enticing in a workout setting that can showcase his athleticism at the rim, mobility and high shotmaking skill level."
Kevin O'Connor (The Ringer):No. 17 overall to theLos Angeles Lakers— "Ware could be a rookie lob threat and rim protector in the mold of Dereck Lively II of the Mavericks. But if Ware's 3-pointer translates as well as it did during his sophom*ore year at Indiana, he could bring another dimension. Then again, the Lakers picked a Hoosier at no. 17 last year—and that hasn't gone too well."
NBA Draft Room:No. 17 overall to theLos Angeles Lakers— "Ware had a big sophom*ore season, his first at Indiana, improving in all aspects of the game and showing a better competitive fire. His upside could be too much to pass on at this point in the draft."
Ricky O'Donnell (SBNation): No. 20 overall to theCleveland Cavaliers— "Cleveland has so much up in the air entering the offseason. Will Donovan Mitchell sign a long-term extension? Will Darius Garland be shopped if that happens? Will the trade rumors that have floated around Jarrett Allen in recent years come to fruition? Ware makes sense as the best player available if the Cavs do decide to swap out Allen for a wing. He has similar athletic tools to Allen, but has the potential to be a real floor spacer with his jump shot. This would be an extremely skilled young front court if Cleveland can keep Ware's motor up."
Jonathan Givony (ESPN/DraftExpress):No. 23 overall to the Milwaukee Bucks— "Ware was viewed to be building solid momentum in the pre-draft process but wasn't among the 21 players voted by teams into the draft green room, something that could still change once the final wave of invites is released later this week.
He has casted a wide net in workouts thus far, conducting more than a dozen to this point with teams ranging from the late lottery to the end of the first round. Milwaukee, a team he visited, has a clear need at center, withBrook Lopez, 36, entering the final season of his contract, andBobby Portisable to opt out next summer.
Ware's ability to both pop or roll gives him coveted flexibility he can tap into, along with his solid rebounding and shot-blocking prowess. At 7-1, talent is certainly not a question mark for the 20-year-old, making him a solid value play for any of the teams picking in this range."
Bryan Kalbrosky (USA Today):No. 23 overall to theMilwaukee Bucks — "Especially after he dominated during measurements and athletic testing at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine, the Milwaukee Bucks are expected to take a serious look at Indiana sophom*ore big man Kel'el Ware. Ware is a 7-footer who shot 57.1 percent on all catch-and-shoot jumpers,via Stats Perform, which is among the best of any player who made thelatest consensus big board."
Kyle Boone (CBS Sports):No. 25 overall to the New York Knicks— "New York may look to add at the center position here with Isaiah Hartenstein headed to free agency. Ware has a nice pedigree as a former five-star who broke out at Indiana last season, averaging 15.9 points, 1.9 blocks and shooting 42.5% from 3."
NBADraft.net:No. 25 overall to theNew York Knicks
AVERAGE DRAFT PROJECTION: No. 19 overall
