Indiana Lands Highly-Coveted Oregon Transfer Kel'el Ware
Kel'el Ware is a Hoosier.
The 7-foot center announced Monday on Twitter that he's transferring to Indiana after one season at Oregon. Indiana needed an impact big man after the departure of consensus All-American Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Ware, ranked No. 2 among all transfers by 247Sports, could be just that.
Ware was a former five-star recruit out of North Little Rock High School in Arkansas, and he played in the McDonald's All-American and Jordan Brand Classic games last spring. Ware was ranked No. 8 in the ESPN Top 100 for the class of 2022, between Duke's Kyle Filipowski and Alabama's Brandon Miller.
Ware is Indiana's second addition in the transfer portal this offseason, joining 6-foot-9 big man Payton Sparks from Ball State.
Ware spent his freshman season at Oregon under coach Dana Altman, where he averaged 6.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. He shot 53.4 percent on 2-point attempts, made 15-of-55 3-point shots and converted 71.2 percent of free throws.
Ware had a strong start to his freshman year, but his playing time and production decreased as the season went on. He scored 18 points with nine rebounds against the eventual national champion UConn Huskies on Nov. 24. Two days later, Ware scored 17 points with nine rebounds against Michigan State, followed by 13 points and seven rebounds against Villanova.
Ware started four games during non-conference play, playing over 34 minutes against Michigan State and Villanova, but he came off the bench and did not play more than 19 minutes in any game when the calendar turned to 2023.
With this addition, Indiana has two available scholarships if senior point guard Xavier Johnson's medical hardship waiver is approved.
Related stories on Indiana basketball
- INDIANA MEETS WITH KNECHT: Indiana has a Zoom call scheduled with Northern Colorado transfer Dalton Knecht, who averaged 20.2 points on 38.1 percent 3-point shooting in 2022-23. CLICK HERE
- DUNCOMB TRANSFERS TO XAVIER: Logan Duncomb is transferring to his home state to play for Xavier and coach Sean Miller after two seasons at Indiana. CLICK HERE
- INDIANA IN TOP SIX FOR DELOACH: Jalen DeLoach, a 6-foot-9 forward, announced Indiana, Florida State, San Diego State, VCU, Miami (FL) and Penn State as his top six potential transfer destinations. CLICK HERE
- SPARKS COMMITS TO INDIANA: Indiana's first addition through the transfer portal is 6-foot-9 center Payton Sparks, who averaged 13.3 points and 8.7 rebounds for Ball State this season. CLICK HERE
- TAMAR BATES TRANSFERRING: Indiana sophomore guard Tamar Bates entered the transfer portal on Tuesday. He averaged 6.1 points and shot 37.4 percent from 3-point range. CLICK HERE
- INDIANA VISITS WITH JAMISON BATTLE: Jamison Battle, a 6-foot-7 forward, averaged 15.1 points across two seasons at Minnesota. Indiana coaches Mike Woodson and Brian Walsh have an in-home visit scheduled with Battle on Tuesday. CLICK HERE
- INDIANA MEETS WITH KADIN SHEDRICK: Indiana basketball is scheduled to meet with Virginia transfer Kadin Shedrick, who averaged 6.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks this year. CLICK HERE
- IU MEETS WITH CHRIS LEDLUM: After averaging 18.8 points and 8.5 rebounds this season, Harvard Chris Ledlum is planning to meet with Indiana on Thursday. CLICK HERE
- IU MEETS WITH NICK TIMBERLAKE: After averaging 17.7 points on 41.6 percent 3-point shooting this season, Towson guard transfer Nick Timberlake plans to meet with Indiana coach Mike Woodson on Thursday. CLICK HERE
- BIG TEN TRANSFER PORTAL TRACKER: Welcome to our Big Ten men's basketball transfer portal tracker, where we'll keep you updated on the latest incoming and outgoing transfer news for all 14 Big Ten teams this offseason. CLICK HERE
- MAJOR CHANGES EXPECTED FOR IU: With graduating seniors, NBA Draft potential and the transfer portal, Indiana's roster will look much different in year three under coach Mike Woodson. CLICK HERE
