(C) Kel 'el Ware - COMMITTED TO INDIANA

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 10,341]

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 914]

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. 

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 10,341]

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 86,052]

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.

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 10,341]

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. 

[Hardwood83 4,855]

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? 

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 10,341]

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. 

[8bucks 7,075]

I think this highlight reel is pretty good.  It shows both the promise and the problems but in the end he ended up with 18 points vs UConn last year.  Kel'el Ware vs UConn 11.24.22 | 18 pts (6-8 FG, 2-3 3pt, 4-6 FT), 9 Reb, 1 Blk, 2 TO - YouTube

So I would not say he is a massive project but it is fair to say Woody needs to find a way to get more or the potential and less of the problems.  Good that we have a lot of depth with Sparks and Malik as needed so we can be patient  

[Ghost of Rick Majerus 1,467]

4 hours 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. 

I realize it was ONE exhibition game, but I can definitely understand the questioning of his motor after watching him play yesterday. It's like he lacks an intensity/fire. I'd love to see him pull a rebound down with authority but most were him standing flat footed the ball happened to fall in his hands. 

 

[Stuhoo 86,052]

12 minutes ago, Ghost of Rick Majerus said:

I realize it was ONE exhibition game, but I can definitely understand the questioning of his motor after watching him play yesterday. It's like he lacks an intensity/fire. I'd love to see him pull a rebound down with authority but most were him standing flat footed the ball happened to fall in his hands. 

 

Ware is a glider, not a banger; that's for sure. But as you said, it was one exhibition game and Woody is most certainly going to keep pushing him hard to be the fieriest version of himself possible. 

BTW, Ware came out after halftime with far more fire. Apparently he is a really good kid who wants to please; it was good to see him respond at the start of the second half.

[Ghost of Rick Majerus 1,467]

46 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

Ware is a glider, not a banger; that's for sure. But as you said, it was one exhibition game and Woody is most certainly going to keep pushing him hard to be the fieriest version of himself possible. 

BTW, Ware came out after halftime with far more fire. Apparently he is a really good kid who wants to please; it was good to see him respond at the start of the second half.

Yes! He 100% was different in the 2nd half. 

[Class of '66 Old Fart 87,944]

[Certified Sunshine Pumper 10,341]

I do think he's gone after the year, and that'll mostly be a good thing for us..... 

However, I do think if he came back he could work himself into the Top 8-10 picks. Granted.. that is without "knowing" what else would be in next year's draft. 

[Stuhoo 86,052]

5 minutes ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

No Mack Mgbako, no Zach Edey.

[HoosierHoopster 7,693]

1 minute ago, Stuhoo said:

No Mack Mgbako, no Zach Edey.

Edey isn't an NBA player (like I said last year :) --. Bako may work himself up there, for him it's about getting comfortable with college/IU's sets and schemes.

[go iu bb 7,892]

2 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

No Mack Mgbako, no Zach Edey.

Nothing is going to change for Edey. He wouldn't have been drafted last year, he won't be drafted this year, and, if he comes back for his COVID year (I think he will), he won't be drafted after next year. He just isn't what NBA teams want to use a draft pick on.

[Class of '66 Old Fart 87,944]

6 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

No Mack Mgbako, no Zach Edey.

Edey is #46 but it doesn't appear on the screen shot.  Mgbako is not on the list.

With Ware, it will be interesting to see if he rises or falls as the season goes on.

[Loaded Chicken Sandwich 9,062]

Ive not seen a single player this year that screams "NBA player." Any team tanking this year is in rough shape because it's a bad class. Haven't been impressed by a single freshman outside of Reed Sheppard and I don't think he should be leaving Kentucky.

[BtownStrength 1,451]

5 hours ago, Loaded Chicken Sandwich said:

Ive not seen a single player this year that screams "NBA player." Any team tanking this year is in rough shape because it's a bad class. Haven't been impressed by a single freshman outside of Reed Sheppard and I don't think he should be leaving Kentucky.

This is a weak freshman class, but that means more potential for high selection international players and non-freshmen at the collegiate level. Ware probably benefits greatly from this weak draft and goes mid-1st round where he might not have other years. 

[Demo 21,906]