Final look: An updated look at Kel'el Ware's standing in the 2024 NBA Draft

Former Indiana big man Kel'el Ware, a likely first round pick in this week's draft, has been slated to come off the board at various points in the second half of the first round by various mock drafts.

After Jalen Hood-Schifino was taken in the first round a year ago, Ware -- who received an invite to the green room -- is looking to make it back-to-back seasons in which a Hoosier has been selected in round one.

Take a final look ahead of draft night at where the experts have Ware coming off the board.

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KEVIN O'CONNOR OF THE RINGER

Selected 17th overall to the Los Angeles Lakers

On Ware: 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 sophomore 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.

JONATHAN GIVONY AND JEREMY WOO OF ESPN

Selected 26th overall to the Washington Wizards

On Ware: Ware secured one of the final green room invitations, which bodes well for his chances of hearing his name called in the first round, having conducted a wide range of workouts.

The number of teams in the market for bigs also should work in his favor, but there’s a good deal of uncertainty surrounding picks in the 20s at the moment.

Ware could come off the board higher than this, with New Orleans and Milwaukee among the teams in need of help at center. The Wizards will likely be selecting for long-term upside and could view this as strong value if Ware falls to No. 26.

JONATHAN WASSERMAN OF BLEACHER REPORT

Selected 13th overall to the Sacramento Kings

On Ware: 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.

ADAM FINKELSTEIN OF CBS SPORTS

Selected 21st overall to the New Orleans Pelicans

On Ware: The Pelicans need help at the 5 and yet have to be conscious of spacing implications around Zion. Ware is a high-risk high-reward type prospect, but he checks both of those boxes and may be worth the risk here.

HOOPSHYPE AGGREGATE

Selected 19th overall to the Toronto Raptors

On Ware: Despite having centers Jakob Poeltl, Kelly Olynyk, and Chris Boucher, who can also play the position, Toronto has repeatedly been linked to Kel’el Ware, who would become the center of the future after improving his stock arguably more than any player in college basketball.

KRYSTEN PEEK OF YAHOO SPORTS

Selected 23rd overall to the Milwaukee Bucks

On Ware: Ware is far from a finished product, but he made some huge strides at Indiana after his freshman year at Oregon. He’s so talented at his size and with his footwork in the paint, but some teams question his motor, leaving him as a possible steal in the 20s.

KYLE IRVING OF THE SPORTING NEWS

Selected 23rd overall to the Milwaukee Bucks

On Ware: Bucks starting center Brook Lopez is turning 37 years old next season. It would be in the team’s best interest to start planning for the future of their frontcourt.

Ware would be a steal for Milwaukee at No. 23. The rim-protecting center is a long, athletic and mobile lob-catcher who has a developing offensive game as a scorer.