Oregon's Kel'el Ware lands on On3's latest 2023 NBA Draft big board
Despite a difficult start to his college career, Oregon freshman center Kel’el Ware is still a potential first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Ware, the No. 6 overall player in the class of 2022 according to the On3 Consensus, is in the midst of an up-and-down campaign with Dana Altman’s UO program. In 26 games, including four starts, Ware is averaging 6.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in 16.5 minutes per game this season.
Ware was a mainstay in the Ducks’ rotation early in the season as the program dealt with a flurry of injuries. But since sophomore center Nate Bittle made a healthy return, Ware’s minutes have plummeted.
He has played just six combined minutes during Oregon’s previous two games. During the Ducks’ Jan. 28 win over Utah, Ware did not play a single minute despite being fully healthy.
Earlier that week, Altman ripped into his star freshman and said he was “disappointed in his effort” and said that Ware hasn’t been playing with enough intensity.
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Even still, the 7-foot center’s athleticism and skill as a rim-runner make him an intriguing NBA talent.
On Wednesday, On3’s Jamie Shaw released an updated 2023 NBA Draft big board and listed Ware among his top 30 prospects. Shaw has Ware listed at No. 28 overall.
Ware is the only Pac-12 player who cracked Shaw’s top 30.
Victor Wembanyama of Metropolitans 92 in France topped Shaw’s big board, while Alabama’s Brandon Miller is the top college prospect.
Jamie Shaw’s 2023 NBA Draft Big Board, version 2.0
1. C Victor Wembanyama (Metropolitans 92/France)
2. PG Scoot Henderson (G-League Ignite)
3. F Brandon Miller (Alabama)
4. G Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite)
5. F Cam Whitmore (Villanova)
6. G Gradey Dick (Kansas)
7. PG Anthony Black (Arkansas)
8. G Nick Smith (Arkansas)
9. F Jarace Walker (Houston)
10. G Brice Sensabaugh (Ohio State)
11. G Cason Wallace (Kentucky)
12. G Keyonte George (Baylor)
13. G Ausar Thompson (Overtime Elite)
14. PG Jalen Hood-Schifino (Indiana)
15. F GG Jackson (South Carolina)
16. C Kyle Filipowski (Duke)
17. F Taylor Hendricks (UCF)
18. Rayan Rupert (New Zealand Breakers)
19. F Maxwell Lewis (Pepperdine)
20. G Ricky Council IV (Arkansas)
21. G Jett Howard (Michigan)
22. F Leonard Miller (G-League Ignite)
23. G Dariq Whitehead (Duke)
24. F Kris Murray (Iowa)
25. G Jordan Hawkins (UConn)
26. G Colby Jones (Xavier)
27. G Kobe Bufkin (Michigan)
28. C Kel’el Ware (Oregon)
29. F Jalen Wilson (Kansas)
30. C Dereck Lively (Duke)
