Former Top-10 Recruit Oregon Transfer Kel'el Ware Visiting Indiana

Indiana basketball is hosting a visit on Thursday for Oregon transfer Kel'el Ware, a top-10 recruit in the class of 2022.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana is in the mix for one of the top players in the transfer portal.

On Thursday, Oregon transfer Kel'el Ware is visiting Bloomington. Ware is a 7-foot center with three years of remaining eligibility, and he is 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 on 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 could use a strong interior presence after the departure of first-team All-American forward Trayce Jackson-Davis, as well as Race Thompson, Jordan Geronimo and Logan Duncomb. Indiana added 6-foot-9 Ball State transfer Payton Sparks, but it looks like coach Mike Woodson wants to add another big man. 

Related stories on Indiana basketball

• INDIANA IN TOP EIGHT FOR HANDLOGTEN: Micah Handlogten, a 7-foot-1 center from Marshall, has a top eight list including North Carolina State, Florida, Auburn, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, Virginia and Arkansas. Handlogten was the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year in 2022-23. CLICK HERE
• 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