Kel’el Ware Selected 15th overall by the Miami Heat in the NBA Draft Former Indiana center Kel’el Ware was selected with the 15th pick by the Miami Heat in the 2024 NBA Draft. The Hoosiers have had 80 players, the second-most among current Big Ten Conference schools (UCLA ranks first with 125, Michigan ranks third with 76) selected in the NBA Draft since the inception of the event in 1947. Of the 80 players selected, 28 have heard their name called during the first round. For the first time since the 2013 and 2014 NBA Drafts, the Hoosiers produced first-round picks in consecutive drafts. Jalen Hood-Schifino was picked 17th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2023. Previously, Victor Oladipo (second overall by Orlando) and Cody Zeller (fourth by Charlotte) were selected in 2013 and were followed by Noah Vonleh (ninth by Charlotte) in 2014.
Kel’el Ware, C, Miami Heat
Ware, an All-Big Ten Second Team selection, averaged team highs in points (15.9 per game), rebounds (9.9), and blocked shots (1.9). He became the third Hoosier in the last 25 seasons (D.J. White, Trayce Jackson-Davis) to average at least 15.0 points and 9.0 rebounds for a season. Ware shot 58.6% (188-of-321) from the floor and 42.5% (17-of-40) from the 3-point line. The Big Ten All-Defensive Team honoree added a team-best 15 double-doubles to go along with 19 multi-block contests.
INDIANA MEN’S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH MIKE WOODSON ON KEL’EL WARE
“Kel’el is the prototypical big man in today’s NBA. He can block shots at the rim, hold up defensively in the pick-and-roll, and is a great lob threat on the other end of the floor. He impressed me with his ability to catch and shoot the basketball at a high level and that is what the next level is looking for. He is a quiet kid that goes about his business in a professional way. He handled the adversity thrown his way to start his college career and responded in a big way for our ball club this season. We are really excited to see the way his career plays out in Miami.”
Indiana University Football to host First Lift for Life The Indiana Football Chapter of Uplifting Athletes will host its first-ever Lift for Life event Today as a part of its summer workout program. Lift for Life is the signature awareness and fundraising event for the collegiate chapters of Uplifting Athletes. Indiana Football is a part of a national network of collegiate chapters which embrace the mission of Uplifting Athletes by using their platform to inspire and invest in the rare disease community through the power of sport. “Uplifting Athletes empowers athletes to conquer rare diseases, one workout at a time,” said Uplifting Athletes General Manager Brett Brackett. “Though challenges remain – with thousands of rare diseases seeking cures – one workout at a time, we will rewrite the future for rare diseases.”
The challenges faced by the rare community are bigger than any one individual, team, or organization can tackle alone. However, the Indiana Football Chapter is inspired and motivated to shine a spotlight on this cause and drive awareness beyond their field, locker room, and workout facilities. Through their Lift for Life, they set an impressive $6,000 fundraising goal. Fans, family, and friends can pledge their support to the Hoosiers by making a donation through the link official team link: charity.pledgeit.org/iufblfl24. The money raised through Lift for Life supports the mission of Uplifting Athletes which harnesses the power of sport to build a community that invests in the lives of people impacted by rare diseases. Since 2018, Uplifting Athletes’ network of chapters has collectively raised over $650,000 through this fundraising initiative alone. Year-over-year feedback reports that in addition to being a high energy event for a great cause, students thrive on the fun atmosphere and opportunity to compete to raise funds and awareness for the rare community.
While each team is assisted by Uplifting Athletes, Lift for Life provides student-athletes with a unique leadership and event planning experience as they set up their own events. Uplifting Athletes provides the fundraising campaign website, social media content, and event t-shirts for Lift for Life events. Uplifting Athletes is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 that harnesses the power of sport to build a community that invests in the lives of the more than 30 million people impacted by rare diseases in America. Since its inception, Uplifting Athletes has raised more than $9 million by engaging athletes in order to positively impact the rare disease community through driving action, awareness, and funding research. To learn more about Uplifting Athletes visit upliftingathletes.org.
Indiana University Women’s Basketball Strength and Conditioning Coach Kevin Konopasek leaves for the University of Kentucky Kevin Konopasek (pronounced like Coo-No-Pah-Zick), former Indiana Director of Athletic Performance, has been hired as the University of Kentucky’s Director of Strength & Conditioning and Athletic Performance for Women’s Basketball, it was announced by head coach Kenny Brooks on Wednesday. “I am extremely excited to join Coach Brooks and be a part of the rich history of Kentucky basketball,” Konopasek said. “I look forward to helping build a championship culture within the program for years to come.”
Konopasek arrives in Lexington after spending 11 seasons at Indiana University, including the last eight seasons with women’s basketball and men’s and women’s swimming. In that position, Konopasek has helped the women’s basketball program reach six postseason appearances, including five NCAA Tournament bids and the 2018 WNIT Championship. He aided in the efforts of 31 All-Big Ten honorees and 19 All-America selections, including All-America First Team honoree Mackenzie Holmes and WNBA lottery draft pick Grace Berger. The Hoosiers have won 20 games or more in all eight seasons of his tenure.
Moreover, he has worked with the Indiana men’s and women’s swimming program, guiding greats like Olympian and four-time NCAA Champion Lilly King and seven other Olympians at the 2020 Tokyo Games, including Blake Pieroni, Zach Apple, Annie Lazor and Michael Brinegar who all competed for Team USA. He has also trained athletes from six other nations during their time at Indiana who competed at the 2020 Olympic Games in Marwan El Kamash (Egypt), Vini Lanza (Brazil), Tomer Frankel (Israel) and Bailey Andison (Canada). Konopasek’s time with swimming has also seen the men’s and women’s programs combine for seven Big Ten titles as well as 101 All-Big Ten First Team honors.
In the summer of 2014, Konopasek completed an internship at EXOS, formerly Athlete’s Performance, in Gulf Breeze, Florida. Throughout his internship experience, Konopasek was able to train athletes from the NFL, NBA and U.S. Military Special Forces. He also assisted the Argentinian National Rugby Team train for the World Cup and SOCOM tactical athletes prepare for the Warrior Games. Konopasek received his master’s in kinesiology with a focus in applied sport science from Indiana University in May 2015. Prior to Indiana, Konopasek received his undergraduate degree in movement and sport science from Purdue University in May 2013. A native of Griffith, Indiana, Konopasek and his wife Kali have one son, Paxton, and one daughter, Parker.
Indiana University Football lands 2025 Defensive Lineman Kyler Garcia Indiana picked up a commitment from class of 2025 defensive lineman Kyler Garcia on Wednesday. He announced the news on his social media accounts. The 6-foot-4 and 275-pound Garcia was at IU over the weekend on an official visit. He attends Pearl-Cohn H.S. in Nashville, Tenn. Garcia helped Pearl-Cohn capture the Class 4A state championship in 2023. According to The Tennessean, he finished the year with 55 tackles, including 13 for loss, and had four sacks. As a defensive leader helped the Firebirds shut out eight opponents and allow just 58 points during his junior season.
According to the On3 Industry Average, Garcia is a 3-star recruit, the No. 1184 overall player in the class, and the No. 100 defensive lineman. Garcia also had offers from Louisville, Purdue, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt, Georgia, Marshall and Western Kentucky. Indiana now has 17 total commits in their 2025 class. Garcia is the fourth defensive lineman in that group. After the addition of Garcia, IU’s class ranks 47th overall and 14th in the Big Ten according to the On3 Industry Average.
Purdue’s Zach Edey Selected 9th overall by the Memphis Grizzles in the NBA Draft Former Purdue Basketball Center Zach Edey has been selected by the Memphis Grizzlies as the ninth overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft Wednesday night. Standing at 7’5″, Edey was drafted after leading the Purdue Boilermakers with 25.2 pointers per game over his last two seasons and posting an average of 12.2 rebounds per game. Edey shone for the Boilermakers where he was named the two-time National Player of the Year and the Naismith College Player of the Year in consecutive seasons.
Last year, Edey led Purdue to their first NCAA Final Four since 1980 and first title game appearance since 1969 last April. Edey’s selection follows an impressive showing at the NBA Scouting Combine where he illustrated his scoring abilities near the basket and rebounding capabilities. He also impressed from downtown, scoring 14 out of 25 3-pointers. The Grizzlies finished last year with an inconsistent 27-55 record after injuries to key players Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart and will be hoping to make a run in the Western Conference playoffs.
Economic Impact of the 2024 NBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis tops $400 Million Dollars Local leaders who tout sports as a boon for Indianapolis have a new batch of numbers to bolster their case. Pacers Sports & Entertainment is sharing the results of a study done with Temple University, looking at the economic impact of the 2024 NBA All-Star game and surrounding events.
The highlights: $403 million in estimated economic value across Indianapolis, $290.7 million total economic impact, $112.6 million in estimated ‘earned media value’ ,81,000 people from 44 states and 55 countries attended the game or various other events and 1,800 local jobs created, supported, or expanded. The numbers represent a delayed payoff for the city. Indianapolis was initially slated to host the 2021 game, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced a wait of three extra years. Comments from the organizers indicate it was all worth the wait. “…the results of the Temple study validate that we know how to generate measurable return on our investment,” Mel Raines, COO of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, said in a statement.
“Indianapolis has proven time and again that when you invest in world-class amenities and have buy-in from community, civic, and business leaders, these kinds of events can represent an important piece of your economic development strategies,” Raines, who also headed up the All-Star Host Committee, added. Rick Fuson, chair of the NBA All-Star 2024 Host Committee, is quoted as saying, “The results speak for themselves, and we are so proud of the way our city turned out to make this such a special and successful event.” The study also gauges the All-Star weekend’s lasting impacts on central Indiana’s charitable efforts, with grants aimed at helping 24 cities and towns in the state through grants. Projects included refurbishments to community centers, improvements to basketball courts and other play areas, and strengthening health and wellness initiatives.
A Hall of Famer nods directly to off-court impacts in offering the final word: “We knew from day one this event needed to be transformational at the community level, a way to make real impact outside of the basketball events themselves,” Tamika Catchings, co-chair of the NBA All-Star 2024 Board of Directors, said. “The term we have always used is legacy, and as a state we once again demonstrated that these kinds of events are a big piece of our legacy to future generations of Hoosiers.”
Former Indy Eleven Women’s Soccer Player Hal Hershfelt makes the U.S. Olympic Team Former Indy Eleven Women’s player Hal Hershfelt was selected to be a part of the US Olympic team for the Paris Olympics this summer. Hershfelt played in eight games for the Indy Eleven Women in 2023, starting eight matches. She scored one goal and one assist. She concluded her five-year career at Clemson this past fall, where she scored 16 goals. The midfielder now plays for the Washington Spirit in the NWSL.