Miami Heat big man Kel’el Ware has officially made second-team All-Rookie, the NBA announced Tuesday.
He finished sixth in the voting. Others who made the second team include Matas Buzelis (Bulls), Yves Missi (Pelicans), Donovan Clingan (Blazers) and Bub Carrington (Wizards). Ware, 21, secured 44 first-place votes and 50 second-place votes.
The Heat’s No. 15 overall pick averaged 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game across 64 games. He shot 55.4 percent from the floor, 31.5 percent from 3-point range (1.7 3PA) and 68.7 percent from the free-throw line.
A part of me is surprised that Ware did not make first-team honors. Though the players who earned it–Stephon Castle (Spurs), Zaccharie Risacher (Hawks), Jaylen Wells (Grizzlies), Zach Edey (Grizzlies) and Alex Sarr (Wizards)–all had compelling cases as well to varying degrees. Castle, who ran away with the Rookie of the Year, is the only player who swept the first-team voting.
He finished 12th among rookies in total points, fourth in rebounds, sixth in blocks, fifth in field goal percentage (min. 150 FGA), second in win shares, fifth in win shares per 48 and tied for first in value over replacement player (0.7). Ware finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting after securing four third-place votes.
Miami’s 7-foot big becomes the franchise’s second-straight rookie to make the All-Rookie team; Jaime Jaquez Jr. made the first team last year, finishing fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting with 89 of the 100 possible first-place votes. He is the 15th All-Rookie honoree in franchise history.
Ware has all the physical tools to put together, though an issue that oftentimes appears with him is inconsistency. Not all growth is linear, but if he can put together a quality second season with noticeable improvement, Ware’s stock will continue to soar.
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Wiggins, Anderson, Larsson and #1 picks in 2025 and 2029 for Darius Garland?
Oh hell no!!!!! His defensive rating is 114.7. Herro’s is 114.9. If the Heat were to pursue this trade it would only confirm once and for all that someone in the front office is thinking with a part of his body not connected to his head.
This is the article in SI on proposed trade.
https://www.si.com/nba/heat/heat-predicted-to-cut-ties-with-former-no-1-pick-andrew-wiggins-in-trade-for-150-million-guard-01jvpxztky38
Congratulations Kel’el!
First Year Stats
9.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 55.4 FG%, 31.5 3PT%. 68.7 FT% 22.2 MPG
Not bad, considering:
A) you didn’t see any serious minutes until late January, while most of the other rookies selected were utilized from the beginning of the season.
B) 3 of the first team players Castle, Sarr and Risacher played more minutes per game than you and
C) you beat out a bunch of lottery picks to make the 2nd team (you had 6th highest overall votes).
Next season should be even better. With added strength, conditioning, experience and maturity, you should become a very good (A- or better) center within a couple of years.
Realistic Second Year Goals
15.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 60.0 FG%, 36.0 3PT%, 75.0 FT%, and 30.0 MPG
NOTE: Since Jan. 19, (when he became a fixture in their every-game rotation), Ware averaged 11.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 2 stocks in 28 minutes a game.
*2 blocks
Re: realistic second year goals. Once again, someone saved me writing a comment because they wrote exactly what I would have. Absolutely doesn’t need to average 20ppg, not just next season, but ongoing. 15/10 2 bpg would be fine.
if bam is traded wares 20 12 guy.id like to see bam traded for a20 pt forward
dissapointing last month playoffs to looked totally lost not well coached.not sure how good he is know he can defend block shots is he 10 pts 15 20 pts a night plaYER.he needs to be 20 to help our team which we need alot of
Rome wasn’t built in a day. The kid just turned 21 and has less than 3 months experience as a starter.
“dissapointing last month playoffs to looked totally lost not well coached.“
That’s because the whole team had no business being nowhere near a f***ing playoff
Hhhf4l, were you someone else in your prior life then changed your name to protect your real identity.
You must not have been around way back in 2020 and 2023, since I hadn’t noticed you posting until recently. They didn’t have any business being in the playoffs then either. Nonetheless, they upset a few teams on their way to the finals. So there’s that. There are teams that would kill to get in the playoffs and get swept (starting with Charlotte).
“There are teams that would kill to get in the playoffs and get swept (starting with Charlotte).“
Because you said so and it must be right, just dumb……the hornets would beat Mia in a playoff series. Lamelo better than any player on the heat Brandon miller definitely better than any heat player.
Good job Kel’el, well done to Adam Simon as well
Congratulations Kel’el!!