While Miami Heat rookie Kel’el Ware was one of the best rookies throughout Summer League–helping lead the Heat to a Summer League title over the Memphis Grizzlies–it remains to be seen what his role will look like to begin the 2024-25 season.
There are myriad variables, including his progress over the next two months–despite an impressive summer. Nevertheless, on “The OG’s Show” with franchise icon Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller, Ware listed three goals he has for himself this upcoming season:
- Be in the Rising Stars game
- Be in the Rookie of the Year race
- Be on the All-Defensive Team
Kel’el Ware top 3 goals for rookie year
– Rising Star game
– ROY race
– All Defensive(Via @theOGsShow)
Love his goals going into year 1 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4w1kdjqHFa
— Emo Jimmy (@WheelerJaylen) July 23, 2024
Haslem offered another goal for the 20-year-old big man, specifically for Summer League.
“I want you to average a rebound every three minutes,” he said. “If you average a rebound every three minutes, that’s above average. If you average a rebound every three minutes, in a 48-minute game, that’s about 15 rebounds … that’s the mindset, that’s the motor you have to have.”
It’s safe to say that Haslem would want that same mentality translated to the regular season. Ware averaged 8.4 rebounds in 26.7 minutes across eight Summer League contests–equating to roughly 15.1 per 48 minutes.
The 7-footer posted five double-doubles, including a 21-point, 10-rebound effort with a Summer League-best four offensive rebounds in the Heat’s 120-118 overtime win over Memphis in 32 minutes Monday.
Ware’s own goals felt reasonable, though I think the best one was the All-Defensive team one. Of course, he’s going to need to play 65 games to be eligible–as well as receive ample opportunity–to be in the running.
Though him “challenging” himself in that way means he has the right frame of mind when it comes to putting in the work to make that a reality. If he can defend at an above-average level, let alone an All-Defensive caliber level, as a rookie, he’s going to play.
Miami is just one of two teams–the other being the Denver Nuggets–who haven’t had a Rookie of the Year winner in their franchise’s history. Jaime Jaquez Jr. finished fourth in ROY voting last year; Kendrick Nunn finished second (behind Ja Morant) in 2019-20 while Justise Winslow finished 6th in 2015-16.
It’s encouraging to hear what he’s willing to accomplish. Shoot for the stars, even if you land on the moon. Speak it into existence!
Got to give the rookie credit for having big goals and a strong belief in himself. When I think of the summer league, and some of the nice offensive moves he made, I think it’s possible we have something here.
My three goals for this season
1) Heat get a top-5 seed in the East
2) Heat make a deep playoff run
3) Heat win the championship
exactly team game
True. But I’d suggest that if he achieves his stated goals, they will align with your three goals.