Oregon Transfer Kel'el Ware To Announce Decision Tuesday; Indiana Involved

Oregon transfer Kel'el Ware, a former McDonald's All-American and one of the top players in the portal, is expected to announce his decision Tuesday. Ware recently visited Indiana and canceled his visit to Alabama.

Kel'el Ware is close to a decision.

First reported by Adam Zagoria, Ware, a 7-foot center from Oregon, is expected to announce his decision on Tuesday.

Indiana has been heavily involved with Ware's recruitment since entering the transfer portal. Ware was in Bloomington for an official visit on Thursday, and he canceled his visit to Alabama shortly after. Multiple recruiting sites have pegged Indiana as the favorite.

Indiana has a 95.5 percent chance to land Ware, according to On3, with Alabama as the next most likely destination. The lone 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction has Ware transferring to Indiana, according to Chad Lykins.

Oregon transfer Kel'el Ware rocks the cream and crimson during his visit to Indiana

Ware has three years of remaining eligibility, and he's ranked No. 2 among all players in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports.

Ware committed to Oregon out of North Little Rock High School in Arkansas. He played in the 2022 McDonald's All-American game and was a consensus five-star recruit, ranked No. 8 in the class of 2022 between Duke's Kyle Filipowski and Alabama's Brandon Miller in the ESPN Top 100.

Ware played one season at Oregon and 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.

Indiana coach Mike Woodson must add to Indiana's front court after losing Trayce Jackson-Davis, Race Thompson, Jordan Geronimo and Logan Duncomb. He's already landed 6-foot-9 forward Payton Sparks from Ball State, but adding Ware to the mix would be a major addition for the Hoosiers.

So, how does Ware fit at Indiana?

Ware can step out and knock down threes, make plays in pick-and-roll scenarios and even handle the ball on the perimeter at times. 6-foot-9 forward Malik Reneau returns for his sophomore season next year, and Ware could fit alongside him as Indiana's starting front court. He's the kind of versatile forward coach Mike Woodson wants.

Following Indiana's loss to Miami in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32, Woodson pointed out that he's used to coaching forwards and centers that can play away from the basket. With the Atlanta Hawks, he had guys like Josh Smith and Joe Johnson, and his New York Knicks teams had Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire, among others in a similar mold.

"Trayce Jackson-Davis is the first center that I've ever coached in my career where I had to utilize my center as a post-up player," Woodson said. Trayce has gotten so much better being a post-up player. I mean, he's a basketball player now. I'd like to think that my staff and I have had a lot to do with that. He has gotten so much better in so many different areas."

"But it's the first time in my coaching career that I've had to coach a young man starting out on the block and expanding his game," Woodson continuted. "I don't know where we're going to be next season in terms of how our style of play will be. But we've got to get better. I do know that."

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