Miami Heat big man Kel’el Ware averaged 9.3 points and 7.4 rebounds across 64 games. (Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
Miami Heat big man Kel’el Ware has officially made second-team All-Rookie, the NBA announced Tuesday.
He finished sixth in the voting. Others who made the second team include Matas Buzelis (Bulls), Yves Missi (Pelicans), Donovan Clingan (Blazers) and Bub Carrington (Wizards). Ware, 21, secured 44 first-place votes and 50 second-place votes.
The Heat’s No. 15 overall pick averaged 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game across 64 games. He shot 55.4 percent from the floor, 31.5 percent from 3-point range (1.7 3PA) and 68.7 percent from the free-throw line.
A part of me is surprised that Ware did not make first-team honors. Though the players who earned it–Stephon Castle (Spurs), Zaccharie Risacher (Hawks), Jaylen Wells (Grizzlies), Zach Edey (Grizzlies) and Alex Sarr (Wizards)–all had compelling cases as well to varying degrees. Castle, who ran away with the Rookie of the Year, is the only player who swept the first-team voting.
He finished 12th among rookies in total points, fourth in rebounds, sixth in blocks, fifth in field goal percentage (min. 150 FGA), second in win shares, fifth in win shares per 48 and tied for first in value over replacement player (0.7). Ware finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting after securing four third-place votes.
Miami’s 7-foot big becomes the franchise’s second-straight rookie to make the All-Rookie team; Jaime Jaquez Jr. made the first team last year, finishing fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting with 89 of the 100 possible first-place votes. He is the 15th All-Rookie honoree in franchise history.
Ware has all the physical tools to put together, though an issue that oftentimes appears with him is inconsistency. Not all growth is linear, but if he can put together a quality second season with noticeable improvement, Ware’s stock will continue to soar.
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