After waiting and watching, Heat rookie Kel’el Ware got his opportunity: ‘It’s satisfying’
After beginning the season out of the Miami Heat’s rotation, rookie center Kel’el Ware has been waiting for his opportunity.
That opportunity came two weeks into Ware’s first NBA season, as he logged the first meaningful minutes of his professional career during Wednesday’s road loss to the Phoenix Suns. Ware finished the defeat with seven points on 3-of-6 shooting from the field and 1-of-1 shooting on threes, three rebounds, two steals and one block in 14 minutes off the bench as the Heat’s backup center.
Prior to Wednesday’s extended playing time in the Heat’s seventh game of the season, Ware’s only two appearances during the first six games came late in lopsided results. The Heat used veteran Thomas Bryant as its backup center during that stretch before Ware stepped into that role on Wednesday, with usual backup center Kevin Love still unavailable as he works his way back into game shape after missing time because of personal reasons.
“I’ve been putting in the work, trying to build up my body to build up my skills to be able to go out there and perform,” Ware, 20, said ahead of Friday night’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on the second stop of the Heat’s long six-game trip. “So it was great to have the opportunity.”
It didn’t take long Wednesday for Ware to flash the upside that made him such an intriguing prospect as a 7-footer with a 7-foot-5 wingspan. Heat vice president of basketball operations and assistant general manager Adam Simon labeled Ware as a “three-and-D center” shortly after selecting him with the 15th overall in this year’s draft.
Ware was used primarily as a roller on the offensive end Wednesday with five of his six shot attempts coming from inside the paint, but he also showed off his outside shooting ability. He made his only three-point attempt when the Suns left him unguarded on the left wing.
Ware’s length made an appearance on the defensive end, blocking a layup attempt from Suns guard Tyus Jones and also stealing a pass after trapping Suns guard Bradley Beal on the perimeter.
“I think he did great,” Heat star Jimmy Butler said when asked to give a review of Ware’s performance against the Suns. “Jumping up there, contesting shots, rebounding, he made a three, made a little hook. The more plays, the more reps that he gets, the more comfortable he’s going to get and he’s going to be able to pick his spots a lot better on the floor. That only comes with time and reps.”
There were also some rookie moments to learn from for Ware, who had his first shot attempt of the night blocked by Suns center Mason Plumlee at the rim. In addition, Ware had a post entry pass directed at him tipped away for a turnover and then was called for a traveling violation during his first stint of Wednesday’s game.
“I would say it’s more of the first time being out there like that, just first-time minutes,” Ware said after his debut in the Heat’s rotation. “Once you get them out of the way, I feel like for everybody, it’s going to be better.”
During Ware’s player development work behind the scenes, he said that he has been focused on improving as a defender “just trying to be more active, go for my blocks and be more of a presence on defense.”
That work behind the scenes and the opportunity he had to watch games from the bench before getting his first real minutes on Wednesday have been helpful.
“Just being able to watch, being able to watch everything and see how everything is coming, and how I can affect things,” Ware added.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has been impressed with what he has seen from Ware in recent weeks, rewarding him with playing time.
“He’s been really progressing quickly behind the scenes,” Spoelstra said following Wednesday’s loss to the Suns. “He kept himself ready. I thought his minutes were very good. I thought they were encouraging.”
Encouraging, but Ware’s minutes could also be temporary as the Heat waits for Love to return. With Love missing his eighth straight game on Wednesday against the Nuggets, he’s expected to make his season debut at some point during the Heat’s six-game trip.
When Love returns, Bryant and Ware could both fall out of the Heat’s rotation. Whatever happens, Ware is appreciative that Spoelstra has given him an opportunity to play meaningful minutes early in his rookie season.
“It’s satisfying,” Ware said. “I guess you could say it’s more a dream come true because you put in the work to be able to perform at your best. That’s always good to me.”
This story was originally published November 8, 2024 at 10:54 AM.
