Opinion: Lance Ware, the Junior big man for the Kentucky Wildcats has had an up and down experience since arriving at Kentucky. Since joining the Cats he’s been in and out of the starting lineup on occasion and, oftentimes, he doesn’t see playing time at all during games. But he’s still one of the most visible and vocal players on the team. Sure, he’s a bruiser on the court when he gets playing time and he’s a BBN favorite. But off the court and in the locker room is where he has seen his stock rise lately.
In his 3rd year with the Cats, the 6’9” junior has appeared in 72 games across three seasons with the Cats, with just nine starts as a back up. His first year in Lexington saw him backing up Isaiah Jackson and Olivier Sarr, now both having moved on and playing in the NBA. Many thought he’d move into the big man position after their departures. That was until the arrival of Oscar Tshiebwe 2 years ago. That’s when his minutes started to dwindle. But that hasn’t dissuaded Ware from finding other ways to contribute to the team. In fact, he’s embracing his leadership role even more lately.
“That’s always been my role, that’s the type of person I am, my personality. Just a leader,” Ware said ahead of the matchup with Auburn.
Lance Ware’s playing minutes hit its peak in a game against Missouri at the end of 2022. The very next game he played only three minutes. But he always seems to keep a positive attitude. “I mean I love basketball so it’s just like, being able to watch, tell guys certain things, or tell Coach something that I see or be able to give encouragement or cheer. I don’t know, I’m just a basketball junkie,” Ware said.
If there is one thing Ware is proving to Big Blue Nation and the coaching staff is that he doesn’t have to be on the court 30 minutes a game to contribute. He’s often seen leading the support from the bench and pulling players aside during timeouts to give them his views. But, when he does get in the game he goes for broke. And that is why I think Big Blue Nation has a love affair with Lance Ware; he embodies that blue-collar” mentality that is the fabric of Kentucky and Big Blue Nation.
In his 3rd year with the Kentucky Wildcats, Ware is in familiar territory. He understands what it takes to be a leader and his ultimate goal is to WIN. While the players on the court may be coming together in recent games it could be Ware’s willingness to bring the bench and locker room together that is the biggest change in UK’s recent success.
There is still time for Ware to develop his game and surge into the draft boards next year. But, if a long NBA career doesn’t materialize for the well-liked player from New Jersey, a career in coaching is almost a certainty.
You can see his full comments here.
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