Former IU big man Kel’el Ware named NBA all-rookie second team

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Former IU big man Kel’el Ware was named NBA all-rookie second team earlier this afternoon.

Here’s the release on the accolade for Ware via IU athletics:

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana men’s basketball alumnus Kel’el Ware was voted to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team, the league announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Ware, the 15th pick in the 2024 first round pick by the Miami Heat, made 36 starts across 64 appearances in his rookie season. He averaged 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocked shots in 22.2 minutes per game. He shot 55.4% from the floor. He hit double figures in the scoring column 26 times and topped 20 points on four occasions. He added 23 games with at least 10 rebounds and 19 nights with multiple blocks. Ware posted 15 double-doubles.

During his lone season in Bloomington, Ware was named All-Big Ten Second Team (Media), All-Big Ten Third Team (Coaches), and Big Ten All-Defensive Team. He led the Hoosiers in scoring (15.9 points per game), rebounding (9.9), blocked shots (1.9), and field goal percentage (58.6%). The North Little Rock, Ark., native was one of two Big Ten players (Zach Edey; Purdue) to average at least 15.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game and one of three Indiana players in the last 25 seasons to average at least 15.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in a season. He posted 16.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.0 blocked shots per game in Big Ten Conference play.

Ware is the ninth former Hoosier to be named to the All-NBA Rookie team. He joins Dick Van Arsdale (1965-66), Tom Van Arsdale (1965-66), Scott May (1976-77), Isiah Thomas (1981-82), Eric Gordon (2008-09), Victor Oladipo (2013-14), Cody Zeller (2013-14), and Kevin ‘Yogi’ Ferrell (2016-17).

And here is the Heat’s release on the honor for Ware:

The NBA announced today that Miami HEAT center Kel’el Ware has been named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. He becomes the 15th HEAT rookie to be named to an NBA All-Rookie Team and the eighth to earn Second Team honors, joining Tyler Herro (2019-20), Justise Winslow (2015-16), Mario Chalmers (2008-09), Udonis Haslem (2003-04), Willie Burton (1990-91), Glen Rice (1989-90) and Kevin Edwards (1988-89).

Ware, who was selected by the HEAT in the first round (15th overall) in the 2024 NBA Draft and was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for January, appeared in 64 games this season (36 starts) and averaged 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.11 blocks and 22.2 minutes while shooting 55.4 percent from the field. He grabbed a HEAT single-season rookie record 357 defensive rebounds, surpassing Rony Seikaly (1988-89) for the all-time lead while also posting a HEAT single-season rookie record 23 double-figure rebound games. He blocked 71 shots, the second-most by a rookie in team history and posted 15 double-doubles, the third-most by a rookie in franchise history, including a 20-point, 15-rebound game on January 21 vs. Portland as he became the first rookie ever in HEAT history to record at least 20 points and 15 rebounds without a single turnover. In the same game, he blocked two shots to become just the second NBA rookie over the last 40 years with at least 20 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks in his first career start, joining only David Robinson on November 4, 1989. In his second career start on January 23 at Milwaukee, he posted a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double to become just the fourth HEAT rookie to ever post multiple double-doubles in their first career starts. On March 2 vs. New York, Ware blocked six shots, tying for the most by any rookie in franchise history. Additionally, he finished the season with 35 made three-point field goals, the second-most during a single-season amongst any seven-footer in team history.

Among rookie league leaders this season, Ware led all rookies in defensive rebounds and double-doubles while also finishing second in field goal percentage, fourth in total rebounds, fifth in offensive rebounds, sixth in blocks, eighth in scoring average, tied for eighth in field goals made, 11th in plus/minus, 12th in points and 15th in steals.

Category: Former Hoosiers

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