Despite being the only rookie to make the All-Summer League first team, Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware is unlikely to fare well in Rookie of the Year voting.
According to Bet MGM, Ware is expected to win the award at odds of 25-1. He is projected to finish 13th at +5000.
Ware had a breakout summer, averaging 18 points and 8.3 rebounds and helping the Heat win the Summer League title.
ESPN insider Kevin Pelton is very optimistic about Ware after receiving widespread praise for his play in Las Vegas.
“Playing every game for the Heat en route to the title, Ware averaged 18 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in a well-rounded performance that suggests he might be able to compete for minutes in Miami as a rookie,”Pelton wrote“Ware, the 15th overall pick out of Indiana, recorded four double-doubles – including one in the title game – and scored 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting, 10 rebounds and three blocks in his best performance against the Dallas Mavericks.”
Pelton mentioned Orlando’s Tristan da Silva and Cleveland’s Jaylon Tyson. Pelton noted that he only considered rookie play in the Las Vegas Summer League and not the California Classic, in which only a handful of teams participated.
Teammate Zach Edey has the best odds to win the award according to BetMGM. He is currently at +600. Alex Sarr is at +700, Zaccharie Risacher is at +800, while Dalton Knecht +900 and Stephon Castle +1000 round out the top five with the best odds to win the award.
