Heat's Ware edged out for NBA's first-team All-Rookie honors, but makes second team
In a vote of 100 media members, Ware received 44 first-team votes and 50 second-team points. His 138 points placed him sixth among all rookies, behind Washington's Alex Sarr, who finished fifth with 138 points.
The All-NBA rookie first team included, in order by vote totals, San Antonio's Stephon Castle, Atlanta's Zaccharie Risacher, Memphis' Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey and Sarr.
Joining Ware on the second team: Chicago's Matas Buzelis, New Orleans' Yves Missi, Portland's Donovan Clingan and Washington's Rob Carrington. Buzelis was seventh in voting with 97 points, well behind Ware.
Players are named to the first and second teams regardless of positions.
Ware, 21, fell short of becoming the eighth Heat rookie in franchise history to be selected for the All-Rookie first team. The seven to do it in a Heat uniform were Sherman Douglas (in 1989-90 season), Steve Smith (1991-92 season), Caron Butler (2002-03 season), Dwyane Wade (2003-04 season), Michael Beasley (2008-09 season), Kendrick Nunn (2019-20 season) and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (last season).
Ware became the second Heat player this decade to make the All-Rookie second team, joining Tyler Herro. Besides Ware and Herro, six other Heat players have been named second-team All Rookie: Kevin Edwards (1988-89), Glen Rice (1989-90), Willie Burton (1990-91), Udonis Haslem (2003-24), Mario Chalmers (2008-09) and Justice Winslow (2015-16).
In 64 games (including 36 starts), Ware averaged 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks and shot 55.4% from the field and 31.5% on threes (35 for 111). Among rookies, Ware ranked fifth in rebounds, eighth in blocks and 12th in points per game, per basketballreference.com.
Ware, who was the 15th overall pick last June, was named NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in January, after scoring 20-plus points in three consecutive games during a stretch that intersected with him becoming a starter.
Among all NBA players (not just rookies), Ware finished 19th in blocks per 36 minutes (1.8) and finished 17th in rebounds per 36 minutes at 12.0, sandwiched between a three-time MVP (Nikola Jokic) and a four-time Defensive Player of the Year (Rudy Gobert). Adebayo was 32nd in that rebounds-per-36 category at 10.1.
Miami became a better offensive team, for a time, after Ware joined the starting lineup in mid-January.
During the regular season, Miami shot 49.1% when Adebayo and Ware were on the floor together, compared with 46.5 overall.
The Heat shot 40.9% on threes when they played together, compared with 37.3 overall. Miami averaged more points per 100 possessions with its super sized frontcourt (113.1 to 112.4 otherwise).
When Adebayo and Ware played together, the Heat outscored teams by 44 points and five-man lineups with that duo had the fourth-best shooting percentage and the best three-point shooting percentage among any two-man Heat combo that played at least 40 games.
But even though Ware provided resistance at the rim, he was slow at times defending pick and rolls and the Ware/Adebayo frontcourt was a disappointment against Cleveland in the playoffs.
Ware struggled in the postseason, finishing with 19 points and 19 rebounds in 73 minutes. He played no more than 20 minutes in any game and the Heat was outscored by 43 points during his time on the floor in postseason, as Cleveland demolished the Heat in a combined 122 points in the four-game sweep.
Among Ware's standout games of the season: a 25-point game in a win over the Spurs, a six-block game in an overtime loss to the Knicks and 19 points and 17 rebounds in a win against Philadelphia.
Ware is due $4.4 million next season in the second year of his rookie contract. The Heat has an Oct. 31 deadline to exercise a $4.7 million team option in Ware's contract for the 2026-27 season.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
20 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Remembering Hulk Hogan: His Most Iconic Wrestling Moments
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The professional wrestling world was shocked at the news that Hulk Hogan, real name Terry Gene Bollea, had sadly passed away at 71. The 12-time World Champion had established himself as one of the most popular wrestlers of all-time and the biggest draws in the history of the business. More Pro Wrestling: Hulk Hogan Dead At 71 After Cardiac Arrest While the Hulkster has fallen under controversy in recent years, there are still countless moments that established his legacy and pro wrestling as a whole. Here are some of Hulk Hogan's most iconic moments across WWE and WCW. ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - March 27 1988: Hulk Hogan vs Andre the giant Wrestlemania Vl March 27 1988 at Historic Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey March 22 1988. ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - March 27 1988: Hulk Hogan vs Andre the giant Wrestlemania Vl March 27 1988 at Historic Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey March 22 The Iron Sheik for His First WWF Championship While Hulk Hogan had a plethora of iconic rivalries throughout his career, one of his best was against The Iron Sheik. A classic tale of All-American baby face vs. foreign heel, Hogan defeated The Iron Sheik to win his first World Championship, reversing the Camel Clutch into Hogan's now iconic Atomic Leg Drop. This would swiftly catapult Hogan as the greatest hero in the then-WWF, taking the place of Bob Backlund. Hogan would go on to hold the WWF/WWE Championship six times, reigning for a total of 2,185 days: the second most in WWE history. Slamming André The Giant at WrestleMania III In any sport, there is a moment when you can tell that things have changed, like Babe Ruth calling his shot or Michael Jordan's dunk from the free throw line. For professional wrestling, this was when Hulk Hogan slammed André The Giant at WrestleMania III. A seemingly unbeatable villain, André The Giant was billed as 7-foot-four-inches tall and over 500 pounds. Fans had no idea what to expect when Hogan To this day, Hogan slamming André remains the iconic image of professional wrestling. The Formation (and Break Up) of The Mega Powers While there are many names that are Synonymous with Hulk Hogan, the first one that comes to mind is easily "Macho Man" Randy Savage. Easily the biggest baby faces of the era, the wrestling world was blown away when Savage and Hogan joined forces to become The Mega Powers. However, two stars shining this bright could not remain near each other without imploding, and this would eventually happen after Savage grew jealous of Hogan's friendship with his wide, Miss Elizabeth. This would eventually result in their iconic battles at WrestleMania V, which is widely considered one of the best matches in both wrestlers' illustrious careers. More Pro Wrestling: Hulk Hogan's 10 Greatest Matches Of All-Time Joining The nWo At WCW Bash at the Beach 1996, Hogan came to the ring as if he were going to help Randy Savage, Sting, and Lex Luger. Instead, he turned on the heroes, joining forces with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall. This shocking heel turn marked the creation of arguably the most famous and popular faction in professional wrestling history: The nWo. And their effect would be felt on professional wrestling throughout the decades for better and for worse. The Fingerpoke of Doom While The nWo was easily the most popular thing going on in WCW, it also marked the unfortunate destruction of the company due to various issues behind the scenes. And there was one single in-ring moment that truly marked this controversy. In a highly-anticipated match between Nash and the now-named Hollywood Hogan for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. However, instead of a battle between two powerhouses, Hogan defeated Nash with a simple fingerpoke and pin. To this day, the "Fingerpoke of Doom" is widely considered to be the turning point for the Monday Night Wars and the eventual demise of WCW. Hulk Hogan's Face Off With The Rock After WCW went bankrupt, Hogan eventually found his way back to WWE to varying levels of success. That being said, one moment stands out as not just the best moment of Hogan's career, but Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's as well. Billed as an "Icon vs. Icon" match, this bout felt special from the moment the bell rang. As both Superstars faced each other, the crowd couldn't help but erupt in cheers and applause. While the match itself would be a good one, this singular moment before it even started captured something special. To this day, it is considered one of the greatest moments in WrestleMania history. More Pro Wrestling: Pro Wrestling World Reacts To Hulk Hogan's Sudden Death For more WWE and professional wrestling news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Fever Announce Caitlin Clark's Status For 'Stranger Things' Game vs. Aces
Fever Announce Caitlin Clark's Status For 'Stranger Things' Game vs. Aces originally appeared on The Spun. The Indiana Fever are once again partnering with the hit show "Stranger Things" on themed uniforms for Thursday night's game vs. the Las Vegas Aces. But the biggest question is will Caitlin Clark even get to wear them? As the 23-year-old superstar continues to nurse the groin injury that kept her out of this year's All-Star festivities, it sounds like her absence from the Fever lineup is going to continue for at least another game. "No surprise, but Caitlin Clark (right groin) is officially ruled out for Thursday vs Aces," Indiana beat writer Scott Agness reported. Adding, "The team didn't practice today, but held film + treatment." The Fever first debuted the special edition uniforms referencing the Hawkins, IN-based sci-fi thriller back in 2021 and they've quickly become a favorite among fans. "This jersey represents the fierce spirit of our team and the fearless energy of Stranger Things – two forces that never back down," the team said in a statement. "As we celebrate our team and the cultural phenomenon that is Stranger Things, we're thrilled to bring back this awesome collaboration with Netflix." Indiana will reintroduce the jerseys for the first time this week before bringing them out again: July 30 vs. Phoenix August 9 vs. Chicago August 12 vs. Dallas August 26 vs. Seattle August 29 at Los Angeles September 9 vs. Minnesota The fifth and final season of "Stranger Things" begins with four episodes this November before three more premiere on Christmas Day and the finale releases on Dec. Announce Caitlin Clark's Status For 'Stranger Things' Game vs. Aces first appeared on The Spun on Jul 23, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Every lesbian and sapphic WNBA No.1 draft pick since the league started
;;; Darrell Walker/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images From Left: Sue Bird, Brittney Griner, Paige Buckers, and Chamique Holdsclaw. The WNBA has been getting gayer every year since its inception. With 41 queer players in the league this year, the StudBudz taking over All-Star weekend, and couples like Paige Bueckers/Azzi Fudd and NaLyssa Smith/DiJonai Carrington making headlines, the WNBA's LGBTQ+ fans are eating well. Over the course of the nearly 30-year history of the WNBA, 11 of the No.1 overall draft picks have been gay. All of these players held off on coming out until after they had joined the league and have been living their lives out and proud ever since. Do we wish there were even more? Of course! But not only were these players the best of the best in the NCAA, but they've gone on to have illustrious, headline-making careers in the WNBA. So who are these gay No.1 draft picks, where are they now, and what's been going on in their romantic lives? Paige Bueckers (2025) Paige Bueckers is the latest No.1 overall pick after having won the NCAA National Championship in 2025 while playing for Conn. Bueckers was drafted to the Dallas Wings, where she now plays alongside DiJonai Carrington and Arike Ogunbowale. Relationship status Bueckers finally confirmed her relationship with her former UConn teammate and best friend Azzi Fudd last week, after months of teasing fans and speculation. Jewell Lloyd (2015) Jewell Lloyd was picked No.1 by the Seattle Storm after having played for Notre Dame. On February 1 she was officially traded to the Las Vegas Aces as part of a huge three-team trade involving the Los Angeles Sparks and Seattle Storm, that also sent Kelsey Plum to the Sparks. Relationship status On July 20, Lloyd semed to hard launch her new relationship with Miami Hurricane player Natalija Marshall. This comes after she started publicly dating Estonia point guard Téa Adams last year. Brittney Griner (2013) Brittney Griner was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury when she was the first overall pick in 2013. The three-time Olympic gold medalist and 10-time All-Star played 11 seasons with the Mercury before joining the Atlanta Dream. Relationship status Griner met her wife Cherelle Griner when they were both attending Baylor University. They tied the knot in 2019, and Cherelle stood by Griner's side while she was being detained in a Russian prison. The two were reunited in 2022 and in July 2024 they announced the birth of their son Bash. Angel McCoughtry (2009) Angel McCoughtry was originally drafted to the Atlanta Dream out of the University of Louisville. Since then, she was the WNBA Rookie of the Year, won two Olympic gold medals, and was a five-time WNBA All-Star. McCoughtry last played for the Minnesota Lynx in 2022, and is currently producing the thriller TV show Apartment 6B. Relationship status McCoughtry got engaged to Brande Elise in 2015, but the two have since split up. Candace Parker (2008) Since being the No.1 overall pick in 2008, Candace Parker has racked up a long list of accomplishments. She is a three-time WNBA champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, two-time NCAA champion, two-time Gatorade Player of the Year, a seven-time WNBA All-Star, and five-time Russian League National Champion. Parker played for the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, and the Las Vegas Aces over the course of her career, which ended in 2024 when she retired to pursue a career in broadcasting for NBA and NCAA games. Relationship status After keeping things under wraps, Parker announced she married Anna Petrakova in 2019. The lovebirds had been teammates during the WNBA offseason when they were both playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg. Now they share two children. Seimone Augustus (2006) Seimone Augustus was drafted to the Minnesota Lynx before going on to win four WNBA Championships, including leading the Lynx to their first title. She also took home Rookie of the Year, won multiple titles while playing overseas, and is now the assistant coach for the LSU women's basketball team, where she rocks incredible outfits every game. Relationship status Augustus married LaTaya Varner in 2015, but the couple divorced a few years later in 2018. Janel McCarville (2005) Janel McCarville was initially drafted to the now-defunct Charlotte Sting. The star center played her final WNBA season with the Minnesota Lynx in 2016, after winning a WNBA Championship with the team in 2013. After retiring from the WNBA, McCarville returned to he home state and is now coaching high school basketball in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Relationship status McCarville has been very private about her personal life, but appears to spend a great deal of time with her family. Diana Taurasi (2004) When GOAT Diana Taurasi was the No.1 draft pick back in 2004, the Phoenix Mercury snapped her up, and she ended up playing for the team for the entirety of her legendary 20-year-long career. She is the WNBA's all-time leading scorer and one of the most decorated basketball players of all time, taking home three WNBA championships, six Olympic medals, and is an 11-time All-Star. Relationship status Taurasi met her wife Penny Taylor in 2004 while they were both playing for the Mercury. They got married in 2017 and share two children together, a son named Leo and a daughter named Isla. Sue Bird (2002) Sue Bird, who is considered one of the greatest WNBA players of all time, was drafted by the Seattle Storm when she was the No.1 draft pick. During her career, Bird took home four WNBA championships with the Storm, five Olympic gold medals, was selected as an All-Star 13 times, and was picked for All-WNBA teams. Much like Taurasi, Bird retired in 2022 after 20 years on the same team that originally drafted her. Relationship status Bird got engaged to soccer legend Megan Rapinoe in 2020. The pair have both retired from the world of sports and now host a podcast together called A Touch More. Ann Wauters (2000) Ann Wauters was the No.1 draft pick by the now-defunct Cleveland Rockers back in 2000. She was Rookie of the Year, won a WNBA Championship while playing for the Los Angeles Sparks, was a All-Star in 2005, and won countless championships while playing overseas. During her career she also played for the Atlanta Dream, San Antonio Silver Stars, and Seattle Storm. Since retiring, she has spent the last two seasons as the assistant coach with the Chicago Sky. Relationship status Wauters met her partner Lot Wielfaert in 2007. They got married in Belgium that same year, and then in 2010 they both announced they were pregnant at the same time. Wielfaert, who was also a pro baller, retired to help raise their children. Wauters was a pioneer at a time when very few public figures were out and even fewer were public about having children, and the WNBA didn't provide maternity care. The couple is still together and shares three children, Lou, Vance, and Dree. Chamique Holdsclaw (1999) The WNBA had its inaugural season in 1997, and just two years later it's first LGBTQ+ player was drafted when Chamique Holdsclaw was picked No. 1 overall by the Washington Mystics. Holdsclaw was named Rookie of the Year, was a six-time WNBA All-Star, and took home a gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Relationship status Holdsclaw married Cara Wright in 2018, and the couple has a son named Cairo and a daughter named Camdyn Rose. This article originally appeared on Pride: Every lesbian and sapphic WNBA No.1 draft pick since the league started RELATED Meet all 41 queer players in this season's WNBA From elephants to purple aliens, ranking the WNBA mascots by how Sapphic they are Why the WNBA power couple NaLyssa Smith & DiJonai Carrington news has lesbians spiraling
