Kel'el Ware, Indiana Recruiting Targets Playing at Nike Academy

Indiana center Kel'el Ware was named to the 16-player college roster for the Nike Skills Academy in Portland, Ore. this week, while class of 2024 Indiana recruiting targets Liam McNeeley, Boogie Fland and Dylan Harper are three of the 18 high school players participating in the event.

The Nike Skills Academy is underway from Portland, Ore., and Indiana center Kel'el Ware, along with a few recruiting targets are participating.

The event runs from Aug. 7-12 and features two rosters of elite high school and college prospects. Ware is the only player from an Adidas-sponsored school invited, and Iowa's Patrick McCaffery joins Ware as one of two current Big Ten players showcasing their skills.

Here are the college and high school rosters for the 2023 Nike Skills Academy, which will provide "the opportunity to train alongside some of the best past and present NBA players and coaches. The prestigious skills development camp features the nation’s top collegiate players, which includes a combine experience, drills, off-court workouts, film sessions and competition.”

Spending the next three days at Nike Academy outside Portland, which features a loaded roster of elite high school and college prospects. Every NBA team limited to two reps only each session. @nikeeyb flagship event is back. pic.twitter.com/vaLmybfPEr

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) August 8, 2023

Ware is one of three transfers joining the Hoosiers for the 2023-24 season, along with Payton Sparks (Ball State) and Anthony Walker (Miami). The 7-foot Ware spent his freshman season at Oregon, where he averaged 6.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game.

Ware was a five-star recruit and McDonald's All-American in the class of 2023, but despite an underwhelming freshman season, relative to his high school ranking, he's still considered a potential first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Indiana coach Mike Woodson is certainly excited about the addition of Ware, especially with first-team All-American Trayce Jackson-Davis off to the NBA.

“Kel’el is an extremely gifted player who will bring a lot to our program,” Woodson said. “He is a tremendous athlete whose skill level in all facets of the game will make us better. He’s a rim protector with great size and length, he runs the floor so well, he can shoot and he’s someone who competed and won at a high level in high school. We welcome he and his family to Bloomington and to Hoosier Nation.”

Here are a few highlights from Ware's time at the Nike Academy.

Kel'el Ware was impressive in drills again today at Nike Academy. Quick off his feet finishing lobs and diving out of pick and roll, with soft touch around the rim and out to 3. pic.twitter.com/2IK816goDc

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) August 9, 2023

Not many 7-footers who move as fluidly and have the type of skill-level Kel'el Ware does. Good opening day for him at Nike Academy. pic.twitter.com/DE61DSguBI

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) August 9, 2023

On the high school side, three undecided class of 2024 recruits who have taken official visits to Indiana were named to the roster, including Liam McNeeley, Boogie Fland and Dylan Harper.

McNeeley, the No. 11 player in the ESPN Top 100, is a 6-foot-7 small forward from Montverde Academy in Florida who can really shoot, and he has a second official visit schedule to Indiana in September. Indiana made his final-six list.

Fland, the No. 8 player, is a 6-foot-2 point guard from Archbishop Stepinac High School in New York. He took an official visit to Indiana in June, and listed the Hoosiers in his top eight schools. 

Harper, a 6-foot-4 point guard from Don Bosco High School in New Jersey, is the nation's No. 1 player in the class of 2024. He took an official visit to Bloomington in November and listed Indiana in his top five, but Rutgers is seen as the favorite.

Related stories on Indiana basketball

• KEL'EL WARE TRANSFERS TO IU: Indiana officially announced the addition of Kel'el Ware to the men's basketball program on Friday, with coach Mike Woodson calling the 7-foot transfer from Oregon, "an extremely gifted player who will bring a lot to our program." CLICK HERE
• LIAM MCNEELEY FILM STUDY: Liam McNeeley, a five-star prospect in the class of 2024, is being recruited by coach Mike Woodson and the Indiana Hoosiers. McNeeley attends Montverde Academy and plays for the Florida Rebels AAU team on the Nike EYBL circuit, and he's teammates with fellow Indiana basketball recruiting targets Derik Queen, Curtis Givens and Asa Newell. CLICK HERE
• BOOGIE FLAND VISITS IU: Boogie Fland is a 6-foot-3 point guard ranked No. 6 in the nation among 2024 recruits, and he took an official visit to Indiana in June. CLICK HERE
• IU MAKES HARPER'S TOP 5: Indiana is in the running for Dylan Harper, one of the nation's top class of 2024 recruits and the younger brother of former Rutgers' All-Big Ten player Ron Harper Jr. CLICK HERE