Former IU basketball center Kel’el Ware got his first NBA start on Tuesday evening.
And right away, he made a splash.
The 7-footer scored 20 points, pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds and added two blocks in 38 minutes against Portland.
According to OptaSTATS, Ware joins basketball great David Robinson as just the second player in the last 40 years to produce 20+ points, 15+ rebounds, and 2+ blocks in their first NBA career start.
Ware’s role and productivity have been on the rise for the last few weeks. Tuesday night’s effort followed a career-high tying 25 points against San Antonio on Sunday. Over his last 12 games, Ware is averaging 12.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over 22.1 minutes per contest.
Prior to that, Ware’s role had been limited in his first NBA season that included some time in the G League.
Ware played one season for IU and led the Hoosiers in scoring (15.9 points per game), rebounding (9.9), blocked shots (1.9), and field goal percentage (58.6%). He was voted second-team All-Big Ten by the media.
Miami chose Ware with the 15th pick of the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft in June.
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Kel’el Ware did something matched only by the great David Robinson in first NBA start
In a stunning debut for the Indiana Pacers, rookie center Kel’el Ware made headlines with a performance that drew comparisons to Hall of Famer David Robinson. In his first NBA start, Ware put up a stat line that included 25 points, 15 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 3 assists, a feat that has only been matched by the legendary Robinson.
The 7-foot-2 Ware showed off his impressive skill set on both ends of the court, dominating the paint with his shot-blocking ability and finishing with authority around the rim. His performance left fans and analysts alike in awe, with many already touting him as a future star in the league.
Ware’s impact was felt immediately, as he helped lead the Pacers to a decisive victory over a playoff contender. His presence in the lineup has already sparked excitement and optimism within the organization, with many believing that he could be the missing piece to propel the team to new heights.
As the dust settles on his historic debut, all eyes will be on Ware as he looks to continue his impressive play and establish himself as one of the premier big men in the NBA. With a performance that echoes the greatness of David Robinson, the sky is truly the limit for Kel’el Ware.
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Kel’el Ware, NBA debut, David Robinson, Indiana basketball, IU Hoosiers, college basketball, basketball news, sports highlights, rookie standout, impressive performance, historic achievement.
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