Miami Heat fans finally got an extended look at rookie center Kel’el Ware on Thursday night.
The good news: Ware shined and played his best basketball thus far. However, the No. 15 pick didn’t have his career night while wearing a Heat uniform.
Ware had 17 points, 12 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in the Sioux Falls Skyforce’s 102-81 victory over the Windy City Bulls. He reported to the G League this week after sparsely playing in his first two months.
Ware played 27 minutes in the win. He sealed the stellar outing with an emphatic fourth-quarter dunk.
The positive performance has been a long time coming. Fans have clamored to see Ware get his opportunity and prove why the Heat drafted him. Instead, he’s spent most of his rookie season buried on the bench.
Ware averages 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists. He’d only played in five of Miami’s previous 10 games. Ware recently also missed time with a foot injury.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra recently defended sending Ware to the G League.
“The next logical thing is to try and get him some time, get him some game minutes, and see how he can impact winning,” Spoelstra told reporters Wednesday.
It is currently unknown when Ware will rejoin the Heat. The Skyforce host the Grand Rapids Gold (the Denver Nuggets’ G League affiliate) on Sunday afternoon.
