A look at Kel’el Ware’s NBA draft stock ahead of Sunday’s lottery

  • 05/09/2024 8:14 am in

The 2024 NBA draft lottery takes place Sunday afternoon, which coincides with the start of the draft combine in Chicago.

Former Indiana big man Kel’el Ware is a potential first-round pick in June’s NBA draft. This year’s draft will be held over two nights: round one will be on Wednesday, June 26 and round two will be on Thursday, June 27.

Here’s a look at Ware’s current standing in several of the latest mock drafts and big boards ahead of the draft lottery and combine (information compiled at 8:15 a.m. ET on Thursday, May 9):

• ESPN.com, Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo: Not ranked among top 25 prospects

• Bleacher Report, Jonathan Wasserman: No. 20

Buying Kel’el Ware as a potential lottery pick means betting on the offensive skill translating, his defensive tools for above-average rim protection and the questions about his motor or toughness being overblown.

At 7’0″ with mobility and the ability to play high above the rim, his finishing off lobs, rolls and putbacks should carry over. He took advantage of smaller bigs in the post with his high release point, touch and tough shotmaking. But NBA-sized centers like Donovan Clingan, Hunter Dickinson, Johni Broome and Zach Edey kept him quiet, as Ware struggles against physicality.

On the other hand, he made 17-of-40 threes and occasionally looked fluid attacking closeouts with his handle and body control.

Defensively, he’s naturally going to block shots with his size and length. But opponents can expose him with quick or back-to-the-basket counters, and he was a mixed bag moving his feet one-on-one in space.

• The Ringer, Kevin O’Connor: No. 20

• The Athletic, Sam Vecenie: No. 35

• NBADraft.net: No. 21

• SBNation, Ricky O’Donnell: No. 11

• CBSSports.com, Adam Finkelstein: No. 26

Ware showed significant growth this year at Indiana and has undeniable talent with inside-out tools that have been improving since high school. There may be bust potential, but this is a risk worth taking for a Washington team that realistically won’t challenge for the playoffs next season.

• The Sporting News, Kyle Irving: No. 24

• HoopsHype: No. 24

Coming off an underwhelming freshman season at Oregon after being one of the top recruits of his class, Kel’el Ware’s intangibles were heavily questioned by NBA executives.

“Ware has all the tools, but the questions were always if he’s tough enough and if he has a good enough motor?” an NBA scout told HoopsHype.

In his sophomore season at Indiana, Ware changed those narratives by averaging 16 points (nearly 10 more than last season), 10 rebounds (over double last season’s production), and two blocks (half a block more per game).

Ware was lethal in the post, ranking in the 87th percentile as a scorer thanks, predominantly, to his right-handed hook shot and a turnaround fadeaway jumper over his right shoulder on the block.

“He’s talented, but I don’t know how long it’ll take,” one NBA scout told HoopsHype. “He shies away from contact at times.”

Throughout his sophomore season, Ware has drawn comparisons to Christian Wood and Willie Cauley-Stein from NBA scouts and executives.

Through four HoopsHype aggregate mock drafts, Ware has been projected steadily in the 23-27 range.

• USA Today, Bryan Kalbrosky: No. 27

• Yahoo Sports: Krysten Peek: No. 19

Ware was significantly better this season after transferring from Oregon following his freshman year. He’s much stronger now and absorbing contact in the post instead of shying away from it or settling for fadeaway jumpers. Ware averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds this season in a very physical Big Ten conference.

• SI.com, Kevin Sweeney: No. 22

In a weak draft, it becomes harder and harder to ignore Ware’s immense physical gifts … especially after a productive sophomore season at Indiana. The 7-footer can run like a gazelle, is an effective shot blocker and has shown the ability to stretch the floor. His motor has come into question at times, and physicality-wise, Ware may struggle against NBA bigs. But at this point in the draft, it’s worth the risk.

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