Kel’el Ware did something matched only by the great David Robinson in First NBA Start – The Daily Hoosier

On By Littum

Former IU basketball center Kel’el Ware made his first NBA start Tuesday night.

And immediately he made a splash.

The 7-footer scored 20 points, pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds and added two blocks in 38 minutes against Portland.

According to Optastats, Ware joins basketball great David Robinson as just the second player in the last 40 years to produce 20+ points, 15+ rebounds and 2+ blocks in their first NBA career start.

Ware’s role and productivity have been increasing over the past few weeks. Tuesday night’s effort followed a career-high tying 25 points against San Antonio on Sunday. Over his last 12 games, Ware is averaging 12.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over 22.1 minutes per game. Competition.

Prior to that, Ware’s role had been limited in his first NBA season, which included some time in the G League.

Ware played one season for IU and led the Hoosiers in scoring (15.9 points per game), rebounding (9.9), blocked shots (1.9) and field goal percentage (58.6%). He was selected second team All-Big Ten by the media.

Miami selected Ware with the 15th pick of the first round of the 2024 NBA draft in June.

For more coverage of the Hoosiers in the NBA, go here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k91o0eqmsbi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfvy3xiiw9i

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