Kel’el Ware listed as No. 1 player available in transfer portal
It has come as no surprise to see that former Oregon Ducks center Kel’el Ware has become a hot commodity since entering the transfer portal and announcing that he is looking for a new team going into his sophomore season.
As a former 5-star recruit and the No. 7 ranked player in the 2022 class, there was an early belief that Ware was going to be a lottery pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, taken somewhere within the first 14 picks. Some disappointing play as a freshman caused his draft stock to fall, and a poor fit in Eugene made it no surprise that he would leave the team via the portal after one year.
Now on the open market, Ware has his fair share of suitors lined up, trying to get him to come to their town.
Here is how he stacks up against the rest of the top 10 in the 247Sports Transfer Portal Rankings:
Kel'el Ware — Oregon
Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Transfer Rating: 98
Stats: 6.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 0.5 APG, 1.3 BPG
Commitment: None
Kel’el Ware is easily the most talented player in this bunch and despite having a rocky season for the Ducks, he is only a freshman with immense potential. He’s a seven-footer with great length and fluidity to couple with a tantalizing amount of skill.
He can switch on the perimeter, protect the rim at a high level and score in a variety of ways when his motor is kicked into full gear. Ware will be sought after by all the top programs in the country and could be one of the most impactful players in all of college basketball and play his way into the 2024 NBA Draft lottery.
Taran Armstrong — California Baptist
(Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
247Sports Transfer Rating: 97
Stats: 11.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.0 APG
Commitment: None
JJ Starling — Notre Dame
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Transfer Rating: 97
Stats: 11.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.1 APG
Commitment: Syracuse Orange
Jameer Nelson Jr. — Deleware
247Sports Transfer Rating: 96
Stats: 20.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.6 APG
Commitment: None
Brandon Murray — Georgetown
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Transfer Rating: 95
Stats: 13.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.2 APG
Commitment: None
Dalton Knecht — Northern Colorado
Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Transfer Rating: 95
Stats: 20.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.8 APG
Commitment: None
Story: Ducks reportedly show interest in intriguing transfer portal option
Caleb Love — North Carolina
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Transfer Rating: 95
Stats: 16.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.8 APG
Commitment: None
Khalif Battle — Temple
Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Transfer Rating: 94
Stats: 17.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.8 APG
Commitment: None
TJ Bamba — Washington State
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
247Sports Transfer Rating: 94
Stats: 15.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.7 APG
Commitment: None
Story: Ducks show interest in Washington State transfer TJ Bamba
Fardaws Aimaq — Texas Tech
247Sports Transfer Rating: 94
Stats: 11.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.5 APG
Commitment: None
