Oregon transfer Kel’el Ware commits to Indiana

  • 04/10/2023 6:17 pm in

One of the top players in the transfer portal will be an Indiana Hoosier.

Oregon transfer Kel’el Ware, a 7-foot center, committed to the Hoosiers today.

Ware, who does not turn 19 until April 20, averaged 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 15.8 minutes last season for the Ducks. He started four of the team’s 35 games.

Assistant coach Yasir Rosemond played a crucial role in developing a relationship with Ware and his family, leading to an official visit on April 6-7.

The No. 6 ranked prospect in the class of 2022 according to the Recruiting Services Consensus Index (RSCI), Ware will be the highest-ranked RSCI player to put on the IU uniform since Romeo Langford (No. 5 in 2018 class).

Ware has three years of eligibility remaining but is squarely on the NBA radar. A strong season as a sophomore in Bloomington could propel him to enter the 2024 NBA draft, which is considered a down class compared to 2023.

With a versatile game that extends out to the 3-point line, Ware should complement Malik Reneau well and Mike Woodson should be able to start the duo together.

As a freshman, the 7-footer made 15 3-pointers at Oregon.

Indiana has significant frontcourt production to replace following the departures of Trayce Jackson-Davis and Race Thompson. Reserves Jordan Geronimo and Logan Duncomb also entered the transfer portal this spring.

A native of North Little Rock, Arkansas, Ware committed to Oregon in August of 2021 and signed a National Letter of Intent with the Ducks in November of 2021. He helped lead North Little Rock High School to consecutive state championships with teammate Nick Smith Jr.

At North Little Rock, Ware averaged 21.2 points, 12 rebounds and 5.7 blocks per game as a senior.

He was a McDonald’s All-American and was also a Jordan Brand All-Star. He was one of just 10 players to be selected for the USA Basketball Nike Hoop Summit team in 2022.

Ware scored in double figures eight times as a freshman at Oregon with a season-high 18 points in 26 minutes against national champion UConn on November 24. He also had 17 points against Michigan State on November 26 and 13 points against Villanova on November 27.

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