The Miami Heat made an interesting pick with their 15th overall selection as they took Indiana University's Kel'el Ware who stands at seven-foot. One of the first aspects a fan can think about is how he can compliment a player like Heat star Bam Adebayo.
Adebayo spoke to the media Thursday about heading to the Olympics, but also about his first initial impressions with Ware as both were selected in the middle of the first round by the Heat. The organization has been known for their player development and the 26-year old is confident that Ware will “grow because of our standard and how we're structured” according to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald
“I feel like he’s coming into a situation where he has an opportunity to, obviously, grow because of our standard and how we’re structured,” Adebayo said to the media before he heads out to play with Team USA for the Paris Olympics. “So I have no doubt that the kid is going to get better here. He’s going into a situation where we want him to be special. You see his athletic ability, and we want him to take advantage of that.”
Adebayo says it is “always good to have” a seven-footer “next to you”
An aspect that was heavily talked about once Ware was drafted is the potential future of the 20-year old being Miami's center and Adebayo moving back to the power forward spot where he is comfortable playing as he did coming out of college. While the Defensive Player of the Year finalist did not touch on that, he said it helpts to have a player in Ware's size next to him.
“Obviously, from the help standpoint, it’s always good to have a seven-footer next to you,” Adebayo said.
What Ware had to say about working with Adebayo on Heat
The Indiana University product spoke about Adebayo during his press conference right after his special moment Wednesday and touched on what his initial goals are with the Heat. He even said that he wants to help out the star player by being the center where Adebayo is at the four spot.
“I feel like I'll be able to fit well in with the Heat, you know, just being at that five position to help Bam out with him, you know, potentially going to the four and just being able to space the floor out,” Ware said to the local media after being selected with the 15th overall pick. “Everything would be much easier for the whole team especially moving fast pace up and down the court so I feel like I'm able to bring a lot to the team.”
“He's a phenomenal player,” Ware said of Adebayo. “So it's just being beside him. You know, not even just him. You know being besides Jimmy, being beside Tyler, just learning from them guys, and seeing what they've been through in their year of playing in the NBA, and that'll take my game up I feel like even faster, like times two.”
Ware brings eye-opening athleticism at his size which makes it an exciting pick for the Heat and what is to come in the future. He's looking to make an immediate impact as Miami wants to bounce back after finishing at the eighth seed for the second straight season and being eliminated in the first round by the Boston Celtics.
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