Erik Spoelstra Talks About Elevated Play From Young Heat Center

The Miami Heat may have found a diamond in the rough. With the 15th pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, the Heat took Kel'el Ware, a low-floor, high-ceiling prospect as a potential center of the future. Ware showed a ton of potential during his rookie season, making the All-Rookie team and averaging 9.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. 

This season, the expectations were even higher for Ware. After proving himself as a rookie, many believed he was going to take a big sophomore leap. Then Ware started the season off with average play, and expectations began to fall.

That, however, has been completely turned around. Ware has been on a tear recently. In his last eight games, he is averaging 15.9 points, 15.1 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks. In his last three games, he’s had at least 20 points and 14 rebounds in each one. It may have taken Ware a few games to start flashing his elite potential, but he is finally meeting the lofty expectations many had put on him this season.

His coach, Erik Spoelstra, recently spoke about his improvement.

“He’s just playing with so much more force than he was a year ago… He’s gaining confidence. I don’t want to put a ceiling on him. He’s being much more intentional… It doesn’t have to be perfect basketball—nobody plays perfect basketball—but the intentions have to be there, the attention to detail. He’s rebounding, he’s making his presence felt with his size. He’s stacking up good day after good day… He’s playing meaningful minutes, he understands the responsibility to play well, and he’s recognizing what he needs to correct when it doesn’t go well. That’s a big-time improvement from last year.” 

Watch out for Kel’el Ware because he could be the next young star big man.