Last Updated on January 30, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Kel'el WareHere’s an overview of Kel’el Ware:

  • Full Name: Kel’el Ware
  • Nationality: American
  • Date of Birth: April 20, 2004
  • Hometown: Sherwood, Arkansas
  • Height: 7 feet 0 inches (213 cm)
  • Weight: 230 pounds (104 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet 4 inches (224cm)
  • Standing Reach: 9 feet 4.5 inches
  • Shoe Size: Size 19 (US)
  • Position: Center
  • Jersey Number: 7
  • High School: North Little Rock High School, North Little Rock, Arkansas
    • Led the team to consecutive state championships.
    • Averaged 21.2 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 5.7 blocks per game as a senior.
    • Named a McDonald’s All-American in 2022.
  • College:
    • University of Oregon (2022–2023)
      • Played 35 games, averaging 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game.
    • Indiana University (2023–2024)
      • Started all 30 games, averaging 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game.
      • Named to the Second-team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Defensive Team in 2024.
  • NBA Draft: Selected by the Miami Heat with the 15th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
  • Professional Teams:
    • Miami Heat (2024–present)
    • Assigned to the Sioux Falls Skyforce (2024)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Family:
    • Parents: Tamika and Cedrick Spaight
    • Siblings:
      • Brothers: Javarus Ware and Kashis Spaight
      • Sisters: Dyamyn Ware and Jazzmyn Spaight
    • Children: None

Kel’el Ware had a breakout game against Victor Wembanyama on Jan. 19, 2025, scoring 25 points and grabbing 8 boards. Many thought he outplayed Wemby during their first outing in the NBA. Ware’s stock has risen considerably over the last few days. Ware has good shooting mechanics where his body is almost perfectly parallel and he’s a capable outside scorer. However, traditionally a center needs to be strong and great at protecting the paint and scoring around the rim before they can be viewed as great centers. I have some doubts about how strong he can be, but he does have a similar body to Wemby and nobody doubts his ability to be strong. Overall, I think Ware’s rising stock is justified because there are similarities between him and Wemby. 1/22/2025

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Kel’el Ware starts the 2024-25 NBA season as the backup center for the Miami Heat behind Bam Adebayo. He moves ahead of Kevin Love and will be expected to contribute immediately in what the Heat hope is a deep playoff run during the 2024-25 season. Kel’el Ware can play freely knowing that Kevin Love is there to back him up. Ware spent two years in college and he progressed a lot in his second year. Ware’s production more than doubled between his first and second college seasons in both minutes and points per game. 11/11/2024