(C) Kel 'el Ware - COMMITTED TO INDIANA

[CSP]

1 minute ago, Loaded Chicken Sandwich said:

Just because someone doesn't use a skillset, doesn't mean they don't have it. Again, all elite recruits have these skills now.

What was elite about KW's game last year? 

[AkronHoosier]

Ive never actually watched Ware play, but the way he’s been described makes me think of Evan Mobley’s role with the Cavs. He has the length and athleticism to be dominant defensively, but probably best paired with a big body (Reneau/Sparks) to guard the post. On offense, they both like play more of a face-up than post-up game. They have the skills/athleticism to be effective on offense but are limited due to lack of strength on the inside and an inconsistent outside shot, even though the stroke looks good.

[Loaded Chicken Sandwich]

36 minutes ago, btownqb said:

What was elite about KW's game last year? 

His shot blocking actually. If you look at his per 40 stats and advanced stats, his blocks per game and block percentage was right there with TJD.

[CSP]

6 minutes ago, Loaded Chicken Sandwich said:

His shot blocking actually. If you look at his per 40 stats and advanced stats, his blocks per game and block percentage was right there with TJD.

I realize this...and I agree.

and that is his only ELITE skill at the moment. 

[HoosierHoopster]

3 hours ago, Loaded Chicken Sandwich said:

Newton was a big man that never really put the ball on the floor, could protect the rim and step out and shoot.

I mean that applies to lots of bigs -- Newton was really more of a prototype front court player imo.

He was 6'9, and almost never shot it from outside. Not sure what you mean by "step out and shoot." He attempted a whopping total 40 (hit 13) treys his entire IU career. Of those, the most he took was in his senior season, when he hit 29.7%. Different player, imo. Regardless, still one of the better IU players imo.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/jeff-newton-1.html

 

[Loaded Chicken Sandwich]

21 minutes ago, btownqb said:

I realize this...and I agree.

and that is his only ELITE skill at the moment. 

Okay.. I think you read wrong. He was an elite recruit coming out of high school. Those kids have the ball handling and probably better than Jeffries did in 2000.

[CSP]

4 minutes ago, Loaded Chicken Sandwich said:

Okay.. I think you read wrong. He was an elite recruit coming out of high school. Those kids have the ball handling and probably better than Jeffries did in 2000.

Do some kids have better ball-handling abilities than JJ, yes?

Does KW? NOOOO. 

[Loaded Chicken Sandwich]

31 minutes ago, HoosierHoopster said:

I mean that applies to lots of bigs -- Newton was really more of a prototype front court player imo.

He was 6'9, and almost never shot it from outside. Not sure what you mean by "step out and shoot." He attempted a whopping total 40 (hit 13) treys his entire IU career. Of those, the most he took was in his senior season, when he hit 29.7%. Different player, imo. Regardless, still one of the better IU players imo.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/jeff-newton-1.html

 

That wasn't normal for a center to go shoot a 3 a game and shoot basically 30%.

[Loaded Chicken Sandwich]

9 minutes ago, btownqb said:

Do some kids have better ball-handling abilities than JJ, yes?

Does KW? NOOOO. 

I can 100% guarantee he does. Welcome to the new age of basketball training.

[HoosierHoopster]

15 minutes ago, Loaded Chicken Sandwich said:

That wasn't normal for a center to go shoot a 3 a game and shoot basically 30%.

But that doesn't make him comparable here. Anyway, just my opinion --

[CSP]

26 minutes ago, Loaded Chicken Sandwich said:

I can 100% guarantee he does. Welcome to the new age of basketball training.

I actually really agree with the bold. It's the comparison you have dialed up wrong.  Those two aren't alike. 

100% the training is significantly better.  That was the first thing I noticed when I started coaching. 

[Loaded Chicken Sandwich]

45 minutes ago, btownqb said:

I actually really agree with the bold. It's the comparison you have dialed up wrong.  Those two aren't alike. 

100% the training is significantly better.  That was the first thing I noticed when I started coaching. 

But you said he doesn't have the skillset Jeffries had. But he does. He just doesn't have to use it.

[Scotty R]

5 hours ago, Loaded Chicken Sandwich said:

Ware won't be in Bloomington in two years. He likely won't be next year. But I don't remember Jeffries ever being a "point forward." Just being a college center with some wing skills for the era. He still work within 15 feet a lot. He did take 2 threes a game his sophomore year though. I assume Ware will be in the 2-3 area per game this year. I don't think he will be Jeffries, but he without a doubt has the same skillset, because like I said, all 99% of elite recruits have the skillset Jeffries had. Just how basketball is nowadays. In fact, Ware probably has better handles than Jeffries had just because of the perimeter focus in today's game, he just doesn't have to use it.

Jefferies never played like a center at all. Yes he posted up some but he was more of a wing player and yes he brought the ball up a lot.

[HoosierHoopster]

4 hours ago, BtownStrength said:

Favorite moment..the 2 HUGE rebounds in the final minute of IU-Duke sweet 16 2002. Last one off the Boozer putback miss. 

I was jumping up and down like a little kid after that play -- and the Dookie whiffs

[CSP]

On 10/25/2023 at 4:29 PM, Loaded Chicken Sandwich said:

But you said he doesn't have the skillset Jeffries had. But he does. He just doesn't have to use it.

As mentioned... JJ and KW are nothing alike on a basketball court. That was evident yesterday. 

[OGIUAndy]

10 minutes ago, btownqb said:

As mentioned... JJ and KW are nothing alike on a basketball court. That was evident yesterday. 

He looks skilled but very soft and physically weak. He's going to have to get a lot tougher and stronger to have above average succes in the BT. I like his shooting touch and he's very long, but he seems pretty weak at the basket. 

[CSP]

28 minutes ago, OGIUAndy said:

He looks skilled but very soft and physically weak. He's going to have to get a lot tougher and stronger to have above average succes in the BT. I like his shooting touch and he's very long, but he seems pretty weak at the basket. 

Not quick. Not a fast twitcher. 

I can't imagine who could have ranked this kid Top 15 in his class. Woodson has a massive project in KW. 

I think there's a good chance KW is a JR on IU's roster next year. 

His height, length, shot blocking ability, and the fact he can hit an open jumper at his size make him serviceable though. 

[Stuhoo]

6 minutes ago, btownqb said:

Not quick. Not a fast twitcher. 

I can't imagine who could have ranked this kid Top 15 in his class. Woodson has a massive project in KW. 

I think there's a good chance KW is a JR on IU's roster next year. 

His height, length, shot blocking ability, and the fact he can hit an open jumper at his size make him serviceable though. 

Too many people are expecting him to "replace" Trayce.

He's not that player. That doesn't mean he can't be a valuable piece.

[CSP]

19 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

Too many people are expecting him to "replace" Trayce.

He's not that player. That doesn't mean he can't be a valuable piece.

Oh for sure.  This is going to be a process with KW. 

But.. compare TJD as a SO vs SR. That's night and day. Hope to see that sort of improvement from KW. 

[CSP]

45 minutes ago, Hardwood83 said:

I've only seen the exhibition and a couple of highlight vids of Ware. I know he is 3-4in taller than TJD and we've seen evidence he can hit a 3 in competition. Is he more athletic? Does he have more potential than Trayce? 

More potential? Yeah. Probably? Idk. With TJD development the last two years.. heck, who knows how good of a pro he could be. 

Athletically-- they're worlds apart. Now.. I do think KW is going to alter/block basically as many shots as TJD over time.