Former IU big man Kel'el Ware moves up in ESPN's NBA mock draft after the combine – Inside the Hall

According to ESPN, Kel'el Ware, a former Indiana big man, saw his NBA Draft stock rise slightly following the merger.

The 6-foot-4 Ware, who was named to the All-Big Ten second team for the Hoosiers last season, moved up two spots in ESPN's latest projections released Wednesday.

Before the Combine, ESPN predicted Ware would be selected No. 27 overall to Minnesota.

But the latest mock draft now has Ware as the No. 25 pick for the New York Knicks. According to Jonathan Givony:

When healthy, the Knicks have strong depth and versatility at almost every position and can afford to take a few swings in the long run if they choose to keep one or both of their first-round picks. Ware has tremendous physical ability due to his size, length and mobility, as well as the ability to stretch the floor in small doses and protect the rim. If he can commit to playing with the type of toughness and intensity that Tom Thibodeau requires, he could be a steal in this part of the draft.

Some of the slight increase could be due to Ware's strength and flexibility training and his anthropometric measurements from the combine, which were as follows:

Results of anthropometric tests

Hand length (inches): 9.5
Hand width (inches): 10.25
Height without shoes: 2.08 m
Standing reach: 9'4.50″
Weight: 230 pounds
Wingspan: 7'4.50″

Strength and mobility

Lane agility time (seconds): 10.97
Shuttle run (seconds): 2.91
Three-quarter spring (seconds): 3.29
Standing Vertical (inches): 32.5
Maximum vertical jump (inches): 36.0

The 2024 NBA Draft will take place over two evenings in late June at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The first round will take place on Wednesday, June 26th and the second round will take place on Thursday, June 27th.

Filed under: Kel'el Ware