Prospect Complexity: Kel'El Ware

PROFILE:

Kel’el Ware is a promising defensive prospect with an unclear future offensively. At 7’0, 242-lbs, Ware’s biggest advantage is his size, compounded by his athleticism. Based on near-instant production (at least defensively) from previous thin-framed bigs (Dereck Lively, Evan Mobley, Chet Holmgren), tacking on weight is not a priority in Ware’s early development. His timing, positioning, and footwork are more consequential to early production than his progression in size.

Athletically, Ware is a dynamic, explosive prospect. An above-the-rim big that’s persistently a lob threat. His 7’7 wingspan allows him to snag balls out of position, for both rebounds and lobs. His vertical talent has been a huge asset for Indiana, and will continue to hold significant value in the NBA, where vertical spacing is essential on both ends of the floor.

Ware produces solid elevation on both single and two-legged takeoffs. Single-leg takeoffs extend his dunking range from outside the restricted area, while two-legged lead to strong putbacks and contested rebounds. It also enables Ware’s mobility as a rim protector, particularly from weakside.

Cognitive and technical agility are the two building blocks of great defensive players. Cognitive agility describes ones anticipation, pattern recognition, court awareness/mapping, while technical agility describes ones footwork, posture, and adjustment speed. Ware’s application of both cognitive and technical agility skills on defense has made him into one of the best defenders in college. He has room to improve in both, but the foundation he’s built is excellent.

Ball-handling among 7-footers is a rarity. High center of gravity, long limbs, a wide domain, there’s multitudes of variables working against exceptionally tall players. Ware falls in majority of exceptionally tall players struggling to gain consistency with their handle. Off-hand is weak, fails to maintain acceleration on drives, and the handle turns volatile through contact. Unfortunately, his handle hasn’t seriously progressed beyond two dribbles. Handling coordination lags in both hands, notably his lower body out of sync with his dribbling-arm. Often has to pick up his dribble to avoid turnovers. It can be improved, but it’s a swing-skill that’s development lies contingent on whichever organization he gets drafted to. 

For a 7-footer, Ware sits on the mobile/flexible side of the spectrum. Sound knee bend, sufficient shin angles, proficient hip/ankle mobility. In respect to his size, Ware has nice running speed, sneakingly quick in sprint. A modest running cadence, compensated by massive ground coverage per stride. His long strides optimize his court movement on both sides of the floor. Ware’s lateral mobility is maximized through long strides, as efficient, vast ground coverage simplifies his defensive tasks.

OFFENSE:

Through 21 games Ware is averaging 14.6/9.0/1.7 on 59.9% eFG. He’s Indiana’s leading rebounder and second-leading scorer by good margin. Among the fourteen B10 schools, Indiana’s adjusted offensive efficiency ranks 10th at 110.3. There’s a mix blend of issues for Indiana, one through five, and Ware’s current skillset only offers limited assistance through the teams offensive troubles.

Ware at large is a play-finisher. Meaning he’s reliant on others, primarily his backcourt, to organize and initiate opportunities for him to score. Indiana’s guards, while talented, struggle significantly at the PnR. At an abysmal 0.665 PPP, Indiana ranks 327th out of all 362 D1 programs in “PnR ball–handler” efficiency. It’s the worst in their conference. Consequently, PnR volume for Indiana sits below average, stifling Ware’s scoring windows.

As guard-dependent as Ware will be offensively, the refinement of his soft skills are critical to his success. Screening, rolling, boxing out, rebounding, off-ball movement, all “small” details that add up to becoming an impactful center. 

Ware has improved immensely as a screener in contrast to his previous season, with Oregon. Establishes an effective base with precise timing on traditional ball-screens, capturing the POA off-kilter while freeing up the ball-handler. While Indiana guards have failed to capitalize on these advantages, the process from Ware is great nonetheless. Slip screens have also become a strength for Ware. He’s swift to the basket off the tag, quickly transforming the possession into a lob and dunk. The ease in which Ware can play above the rim makes entry passes easier on behalf of the ball-handler. 

Currently, the core of Ware’s scoring comes from post-ups. Against certain matchups, Ware has been dominant in the post, while against others, it’s been a complete failure. Back-to-the-basket scoring requires either strength or borderline elite shooting touch, and Ware’s proficiency in both is subpar. Stout college bigs like Zach Edey, Hunter Dickinson, or even Donovan Clingan, Ware repeatedly fails to establish favorable positioning in the post. From entry pass to shot attempt he’s imbalanced, deferring to tough turn around fadeaways when all else fails. Without post-ups, Ware’s scoring has taken dramatic declines. Again, the Ware PnR is an uncommon occurrence in the Indiana offense.

The lackluster production from the post, compounded with a shaky, untrustworthy handle, leaves little belief that Ware will become a reliable shot-creating big. Compared to Evan Mobley/Chet Holmgren, two pre-draft prospects that had good to great efficiency on midrange jumpers while in college, Ware has neither the volume or efficiency. Through natural development Ware will expand his skillset in the NBA, but likely through the path as a play-finisher. Not dribble-drives into pull up middies/hook-shots.

Difficulties arise for Ware in the high PnR, when he’s receiving the ball at the elbow/high post. With limited handling/shooting skills, it’s an area he’s uncomfortable in. In an NBA setting, with increased spacing, it’s critical Ware builds a functional handle.

On low volume (28 total attempts), has become a serious perimeter scoring threat this season. Shooting 46.8% 3pt on C&S, he’s cashed in on bigs leaving him uncontested. Above 40% 3pt shooting will be tough to sustain on higher volume, but the possibility of reliable shooting from Ware adds needed versatility in his offensive game. The shooting development is nowhere near the point of Ware taking off the dribble jumpers, but he has flashed a few turnaround jumpers in the low post.

This season he’s improved his FTr (Free-Throw rate), from 0.355 to 0.451. Ware draws a ton of contact on post-ups/put backs. When he has/creates an advantage in the post, Ware loves to draw the extra contact to garner the shooting foul. At times the foul draw comes at the cost of actually making the basket, but the process is excellent nonetheless. 

The FT shooting itself however, is still a work in progress. He’s shooting slightly under 70% on 4.4 attempts per game, at 68.8% FT. For someone as active in the paint as Ware, FTs are inevitable. Finding consistency from the line is the most important aspect of his shooting development.

Rebounding has become a much bigger focus for Ware this season, taking a huge jump up from 4.1 rebounds last season, to 9.0 this season. Through 22 games, Ware has ten double-doubles this season, in contrast to a whopping zero last season with Oregon. As rebounding becomes a larger focus in his game, he’s been gifted with easier openings to score than ever. He’s 89th percentile on putback efficiency, on nearly two possessions per game. He also has an astonishing 40% foul-rate on putbacks. The NBA loves players who can provide extra possessions off the glass. Ware does a good job finding his man, establishing position, and boxing out. His length and catch radius give him the edge nearly every time.

Rim finishing has also been a noticeable improvement from Ware this season, specifically his layups. Most of his layups come out the post, as he’s dunking the ball in almost any other circumstance. Ignoring some of the technical deficiencies in his post game (foot work, handle), Ware has acquired some really solid touch around the rim. He doesn’t have the softest touch finishing through contact/off-balance, but cognizant of that, Ware utilizes the backboard when needed. More impressively, Ware makes incredible in-air adjustments, capitalizing on his length/athleticism. The ingenuity and willingness to score in unconventional fashion around the rim should pay its dividends once his strength emerges.

DEFENSE:

Ware really comes into his own on defense. It’s where he’s dominated all season long with Indiana. The blend of length, athleticism, and technique, all come together to create an elite defensive anchor. 

As an on-ball defender, Ware has shown the capacity to defend out on the perimeter in spurts. However, Ware’s quite susceptible to stutter rips/shot fakes, frequently getting blown by on drives. He can recover for blocks, but that will become increasingly difficult to do in the pacing/spacing of the NBA. On the occasions Ware does exhibit the discipline to stand pat, he does a great job using his body and arms to keep ball-handlers uncomfortable. Laterally he’s not intuitive to the point of beating drivers to a spot, although, he does apply ball pressure that makes scoring progressively arduous. He contests very well on three-pointers, yet no blocks to date. The NBA’s elite shot-creators hunt for mismatches. Those mismatches typically involve drawing the big out to the perimeter. Ware has the defensive talent to hunker down in those possessions, but it requires discipline.

Impressively, Ware has been a good post-up defender this season. Very physical, contests well, stands his ground. Most distinctively, Ware his given Purdue senior, former POY, and arguably best post-up big in the country, Zach Edey, a ton of issues in the post. In both their matchups 7’4, 285-lbs Edey has had his worst statistical performances, shooting below 50% fg in both games. Ware becomes very active and physical on entry denials, taking the post-scorer out of position, creating disruption. 

His frame indicates a propensity to get pushed around in the paint. Ware however, walls up and contests quite well through shoulder bumps. Ware’s activity is generally a positive, but can be overly active, falling victim to shot-fakes, drop steps, and quick spins.

In the PnR, Ware has excelled in the role of anchor/rim deterrent. He primarily operates out of drop, at times deep drop, stifling roll actions while limiting dribble penetration from the ball handler. Ware does a good job making the proper adjustments/rotations on the fly, an essential quality as a drop big when you’re sacrificing proximity for rim protection. Ware has to be quick to close space to contest pull-up middies/floaters, while also ensuring he’s not giving up passing windows for a lob. It’s a difficult role, for what is essentially guarding two people at once. But his length and athleticism make it a possibility. 

Ware isn’t restricted to drop, he can and has play a myriad of other coverages against the PnR. His greatest strength is his rim protection. Utilizing him in drop is the best way to enhance said strength.

He’s averaging 1.5 blocks and 0.6 this season, a tad improvement from last season. Not particularly standout numbers from the 7’0 big. His block/steal rate is relatively low to expectations. In fact, Ware’s block rate has taken a decline this season, from 8.8% with Oregon, to 5.2% now. For context, Donovan Clingan, UConn’s 7’0 sophomore big, and fellow 2024 draft prospect, is averaging 2.3 blocks per game this season with an 11.6% block rate. Baylor freshmen big and 2024 draft prospect, Yvess Missi, also has a higher counting stat and block rate than Ware.

There’s three contributing factors to Ware’s seemingly low block numbers. The first is his established reputation as a defender. While only a sophomore, opposing teams actively avoid attacking Ware while he’s in the paint. Guards aren’t challenging Ware straight up in the paint, and even on the occasions where he’s a step behind, guards remain wary. If Ware is sitting weakside his presence is felt, and more than likely the drive results in a kickout/shovel pass to a cutter. His reputation and authority over the rim makes it harder to stack up blocks when so few attempts are made.

The second factor is his activity outside the restricted area. Ware isn’t particularly active as a help-defender when offenses pull him outside the restricted area. In comparison to the great-to-elite defensive playmakers, Ware isn’t as willing to go off-script to make a play. So while he isn’t necessarily doing anything wrong, he isn’t taking the risk nor initiative to constantly create plays on the defensive end. 

The third, and arguably most important factor, is his technique. Steals and blocks are a matter of consistently threading the needle. The difference between a potential foul and steal/block is a split second. Timing is everything. For Ware, he finds himself that split second slower than required to get blocks, especially as he’s contesting jumpers/floaters. It starts with his footwork and his arm placement. Against shooters, Ware targets the release point of the shot, lowering the apex of his arm just above the shooter's head. To Juxtapose, Donovan Clingan extends his arm nearly straight up, challenging shooters to arch their jumper above his extended fingertips. Similar wingspans, but Clingan notches more blocks.