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'That's what we've been waiting for': A 'motivated' Kel'el Ware responds in big way following public call-out by Erik Spoelstra

headshotby: Alec Lasley07/14/25allasley
Image 7-14-25 at 11.14 AM
Kel'el Ware (Miami Heat)

Kel’el Ware has been involved in a lot of the offseason talk surrounding the Miami Heat and that heightened over the last few weeks as he was the sole reason the Heat held up trade discussions with the Phoenix Suns revolving around All-NBA wing Kevin Durant.

With Miami’s desire to hold on to Ware and thus his long-term potential, the expectations and demands increased for the second-year center. But, through the first few games of NBA Summer League action, Ware’s play didn’t match his importance to the short-term potential success of the Heat.

After two games in the California Classic, Kel’el Ware was averaging just 13.0 points on 37.5 percent shooting, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 turnovers a game. It was a disappointing start to the summer for someone who was held in high regard.

Then he had 10 points and six rebounds and was a -21 in 27 minutes in his first Vegas Summer League appearance.

So, it was his head coach who called him out on Saturday saying the 7-footer needed to improve his professionalism.

“He has to really embrace and improve his professionalism, his consistency, his approach. Every single day,” Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He has to get better with that. It’s learning how to become a pro … we have bigger expectations — it’s not your normal growth and growing pains of a young player learning how to become a pro. But that’s what this summer is about.

“Our expectations and how fast we want that to improve for him are not going to change, but he’s got to get better and take ownership of it … he’s taken some steps but he has to continue to get better.”

The message got through to Kel’el Ware who responded in a major way in the Heat’s game on Sunday. Not only did he score 11 of the first 15 points, he also finished with 21 points on 8-of-14 from the floor and 2-of-3 from three. He added nine rebounds and three blocks.

While it was in a loss, it was the type of performance that the Miami Heat coaches were waiting for.

“That’s what we’ve been waiting for from him — it then translates to everything else,” Heat Summer League coach Eric Glass said. “When he comes in with that focus and intensity, the rest of his game blossoms. He has that potential and we want to see him do it again tomorrow (Monday).”

Ware, who was the 15th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, appeared in 64 games as a rookie averaging 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks a game. He shot 55.4 percent from the field and 31.5 percent from three. While those numbers are good for a rookie, it was his development throughout the year, and into the second part of the season that was eye-opening for the Heat.

After moving into the starting lineup towards the end of January, Ware saw his averages increase from 7.3 points to 10.7 a game and rebounds from 4.0 to 9.7 a game.

“I took it as motivation,” Ware said on Sunday. “He’s (Spoelstra) the coach and has that trust in me and wants to see the best out of me, so I just took it all as motivation.”

“It all comes down to putting in the effort and playing hard and this is what I wanted to show what I can do.”

When asked by local reporters if this type of effort and intensity will be seen again, Ware didn’t mince words.

“You will. You will”

The Miami Heat are back in action on Monday night at 8:00 pm ET on ESPNU.

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