Familiar Face, New Place: Former five-star Kel'el Ware
One of the more notable transfers of the offseason saw former five-star big man Kel'el Ware ditch Oregon and the Pac-12 in favor of Big Ten pastures at Indiana. Ware is expected to play a big role for a team ready to compete in a tough conference.
It didn't click as quickly as many had hoped for Ware in Eugene, sure, but there’s plenty of reason to think things might unfold a bit differently in Bloomington. Below, Rivals has a look at the reasons for the transfer and what might be in store for the center’s first year as a Hoosier.
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AS A PROSPECT
Ware was an intriguing prospect for much of his high school career based on his length and agility but he didn’t come into his own as a major national prospect as a senior, eventually earning a top-10 ranking in the final Rivals150 update.
Following the McDonald’s All-American Game, NBA scouts buzzed about his ability to fill the role of a floor-stretching, modern NBA center. He arrived on campus at Oregon as a college-ready upside guy that needed to add weight and work on his motor in order to realize his full potential.
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WHAT WENT WRONG AT OREGON
The knocks on Ware’s motor reared their head at times during his one season at Oregon, as his tendency to take plays off led to limited minutes and a touch of tension with the Ducks' coaching staff.
He produced when on the floor but still struggled to find a defined role with the program. He averaged a respectable 6.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per contest despite playing just 15 minutes per game.
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WHY IT MIGHT CLICK AT INDIANA
Ware’s 40-minute averages are intriguing, to say the least, so it stands to reason that the sophomore has what it takes to make a major impact in the Big Ten, should his effort be there on the defensive end. The former five-star prospect still has the attention of NBA scouts and has the feel of a prospect that could play his way back onto draft boards quickly.
The fact that he will occupy the front court with experienced sophomore Malik Reneau, who has a reputation for his passing ability and high basketball IQ, may play a part in keeping Ware engaged. If anyone knows what the modern NBA wants in a long, floor-spacing big, it’s Mike Woodson, who coached in the league as recently as 2021. The marriage between coach and player has tremendous potential.