Former Indiana center Kel'el Ware saw his lifelong NBA dreams realized on Wednesday in Brooklyn.
Ware was selected No. 15 overall to the Miami Heat in Wednesday night's first round of the 2024 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Ware, a former McDonald's All-American, spent one season at Indiana after transferring from Oregon following his freshman campaign with the Ducks.
During Ware's lone season in Bloomington, the sophomore started 30 games for the Hoosiers, averaging 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks a contest. Ware shot 58.6% from the field.
The native of North Little Rock, Arkansas earned second team All-Big Ten honors from the conference's media this past season and third team All-Big Ten honors from the league's coaches following the 2023-24 season.
A five-star recruit out of high school, Ware disappointed in his freshman campaign at Oregon. Those on the outside began to question the young big man's motor and work ethic following his struggles with the Ducks.
While the Hoosiers missed the NCAA Tournament this past year, the questions of Ware's motor appeared to be dispelled.
In his lone season under Mike Woodson, Ware paced Indiana in scoring and finished top five in the Big Ten in double-doubles, rebounds and field goal percentage.
Another success story in Woodson's young tenure at Indiana, Ware now has the chance to make his mark on the NBA, as so many Hoosiers have done before him.
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