Age

19.17

Height

7'0"

Weight

210

Workload

MIN%

38.0

USG%

21.5

TS%

53.5

Per 70 Possession Stats

PTS

17.9

REB

10.6

AST

1.4

STL

0.9

BLK

3.4

TOV

1.8

Efficiency

RIM FG%

64.6

MID FG%

40.0

3PT FG%

28.0

FT%

71.2

Jump to full report

Report by: Tyler Wilson

Kel'el Ware

Big Oregon Ducks

A physical specimen with defensive mobility and untapped offensive potential

Age

19.17

Height

7'0"

Weight

210

Per 70 Possession Stats

PTS

17.9

REB

10.6

AST

1.4

STL

0.9

BLK

3.4

Positions Defended

Offensive Role

 

Defensive Role

   

Meet Kel’el Ware

Kel’el Ware entered his freshman season at Oregon a Top 10 recruit and one of the most divisive prospects of the class. With physical tools as far as the eye can see, Ware is an incredibly interesting upside swing in a class full of potential contributors. What has he shown so far, and what can he do to hear his name called in the lottery?

Offense

Ware’s offensive game starts with his potential to space the floor. He is currently shooting 31% on only three attempts per game, but his shot looks smooth with the potential for versatility. He has taken spot ups, pick and pop and even transition threes to start the year. That diversity of attempt is encouraging and can hopefully lead to a higher volume throughout the year.

He has good touch in the post with his hook shot or fade-away and has succeeded in punishing mismatches when teams switch. He is a more aggressive screener than most thin teenage big men, but has not spent much time as a roll man. He struggles to move people in the post, but his reach and touch help make up for his limited strength.

Ware has flashed a feel for the game as a connective passer and off-ball mover that would greatly increase his potential lineup malleability. There is still a way to go, but his touch passes out of the post and ability to exploit open spaces of the court has been encouraging. His length and reach gives him a leg up chasing rebounds above the heads of his competitors. The budding skills of a big connector, but not consistent enough yet to be a focal point of his game.

Defense

When defending the hoop Ware is a bundle of physical tools and potential. He is both a fluid and explosive athlete, though the latter is still in its early stages. He is a thin 7 footer and will take some time to grow into and harness his frame, but the foundation is already there.

He is formidable around the rim when he is there, but could do a better job asserting himself as a rim protector. Ware has played a lot of the four at Oregon, and while he has the tools to thrive there it has allowed him to become less aggressive around the rim.

He is solid moving in space and has shown the ability to play the cat-and-mouse game of the pick and roll, darting between the ball handler and roller. He covers ground well in switch situations and closing out to shooters, where his wingspan helps to cover up the gaps. There are bouts of disengagement throughout the tape, but when he is playing confidently and aggressively Ware can be a real difference maker. 

He will need to gain significant weight, but that feels like an inevitability. He’s still 18 and there are no real impediments to gaining weight from a frame perspective. Currently he is easily pushed around on the block and on the glass, that will need to improve for him to spend any time at center. Ideally some of his timidity on the defensive end can be helped through a simplified role and improved physicality.

Overview

Kel’el Ware is, and will continue to be one of the hot-button prospects of the 2023 class. With his combination of length, fluidity, skill and youth there are few prospects that match his potential upside on both ends of the court, but it is a long way from coming together. In a loaded class at the top and bevy of suitors waiting below, Kel’el Ware may end up an x-factor in what has the makings of an incredibly competitive class.

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