Kel’el Ware Named to NBA All-Rookie Second Team

Miami, FL – The NBA announced today that Miami HEAT center Kel’el Ware has been named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. He becomes the 15th HEAT rookie to be named to an NBA All-Rookie Team and the eighth to earn Second Team honors, joining Tyler Herro (2019-20), Justise Winslow (2015-16), Mario Chalmers (2008-09), Udonis Haslem (2003-04), Willie Burton (1990-91), Glen Rice (1989-90) and Kevin Edwards (1988-89). It also marks the second consecutive season a HEAT player has been named to an All-Rookie team after Jaime Jaquez Jr. earned First Team honors last season.

YEAH ROOK ‼️

Congrats to Kel’el for being named to the @Kia NBA All-Rookie Second Team! pic.twitter.com/zVmev11fnC

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) May 20, 2025

Rookie Season Stats

Ware, who was selected by the HEAT in the first round (15^th overall) in the 2024 NBA Draft and was named the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for January, appeared in 64 games this season (36 starts) and averaged 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.11 blocks and 22.2 minutes while shooting 55.4 percent from the field. He grabbed a HEAT single-season rookie record of 357 defensive rebounds, surpassing Rony Seikaly (1988-89) for the all-time lead while also posting a single-season rookie record of 23 double-figure rebound games.

He blocked 71 shots, the second-most by a rookie in team history and posted 15 double-doubles, the third-most by a rookie in franchise history, including a 20-point, 15-rebound game on January 21 vs. Portland as he became the first rookie ever in HEAT history to record at least 20 points and 15 rebounds without a single turnover. In the same game, he blocked two shots to become just the second NBA rookie over the last 40 years with at least 20 points, 15 rebounds, and two blocks in his first career start, joining only David Robinson on November 4, 1989.

In his second career start, on January 23 at Milwaukee, he posted a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double to become just the fourth HEAT rookie ever to post multiple double-doubles in their first career starts. On March 2nd vs. New York, Ware blocked six shots, tying for the most by any rookie in franchise history. Additionally, he finished the season with 35 made three-point field goals, the second-most during a single season amongst any seven-footer in team history.

Kel'el's rookie year by the numbers:

🔥 71 blocks (2nd-most by HEAT rookie)
🔥 23 double-figure rebound games (most by HEAT rookie)
🔥 15 double-doubles (3rd-most by HEAT rookie)
🔥 Led all NBA rookies in double-doubles pic.twitter.com/o2lv6Rg2m2

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) May 20, 2025

Among rookie league leaders this season, Ware led all rookies in defensive rebounds and double-doubles while also finishing second in field goal percentage, fourth in total rebounds, fifth in offensive rebounds, sixth in blocks, eighth in scoring average, tied for eighth in field goals made, 11^th in plus/minus, 12^th in points and 15^th in steals.

About Post Author

Ricardo Urrusuno

He’s a diehard 305 native who roots for his hometown teams in the good, the bad, and the ugly. Recently, he graduated from FIU with an MBA, but now he’s a Lemonhead covering UM basketball. Known to be anywhere and everywhere, you may catch him at a Miami sporting event.

See author's posts