Miami Heat rookie center Kel’el Ware has turned more heads in the 2024-25 campaign than anyone could have expected entering the season. After being selected 15th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, Ware catapulted into Miami’s rotation as perhaps one of the brightest young stars on the team.

That potential and promise was on full display in the Heat’s Friday night victory over the Atlanta Hawks to punch their ticket to the playoffs. Miami came away with a stunning 123-114 overtime victory in the Play-In Tournament No. 8 seed game – thanks in part to a flawless night from the field for its young big man.

Ware finished the evening with 12 points on a perfect 6-of-6 clip from the field, as well as eight rebounds to round out his impressive showing. Between Ware’s impressive performance in the frontcourt and an all-around offensive outburst that saw six players hit double-figures scoring, Miami had just enough gas in the tank to pull off the upset in Atlanta.

In his first season in the pros, Ware has averaged 9.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game – all in just under 23 minutes per contest as well. The 20-year-old center out of Indiana has provided a consistent bright spot in what’s been an otherwise roller coaster of a season for the Heat.

Miami will now face off against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Game one is set to tip off on Sunday at 7:00 p.m. ET.