Kentucky Basketball Recruiting: Lance Ware commits to the Wildcats

Kentucky basketball is once again poised for an elite recruiting class. Lance Ware is the latest star recruit to join the Wildcats’ 2020 class.

Kentucky basketball is easily one of the most feared programs in the entire nation when it comes to recruiting. Under the leadership of head coach John Calipari, the Wildcats have cleaned up on the recruiting trail by landing a top-2 class in each of the past seven years. Coach Cal can seemingly land a commitment from anybody on his target list and it is reasonable to assume that Kentucky will find a spot near the top of the overall team class rankings every year. With regards to the 2020 class, stud power forward Lance Ware is the latest addition to the Big Blue Nation.

Ware is a talented 6-foot-9 power forward currently ranked at No. 32 in the class that simply does everything well on the court. He is an exceptional passer for his position and also has shown the ability to take his defenders off the dribble as well. As a scorer, Ware finishes at a high rate around the rim while flashing some shooting potential. On the defensive end of the floor, Ware uses his frame and intelligence to snag rebounds and block shots with consistency.

Lance Ware showcased his all-around skill while playing for Renaissance (NY) on the Nike EYBL circuit this summer. Across 18 contests with the team, Ware averaged 11.4 points (49.7% FG), 6.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game. He was also exceptional at the biggest event of the year as he stepped up his game at Peach Jam. Ware played alongside a number of other highly-touted prospects on that team, including the likes of Jonathan Kuminga and RJ Davis (among others).

This lefty understands how to perform in a variety of ways. He does not need to command the ball offensively in order to make an impact and that is a very valuable trait for someone who is likely to play on a team full of freshmen superstars. Furthermore, he runs the floor very well and can be a switchable defender on occasion due to his quick feet. As a result, Ware could turn out to be a perfect fit for the Wildcats during the 2020-21 season.

With his commitment, Ware is now the third player in Kentucky’s 2020 recruiting class. He will be joining elite-level wings BJ Boston (No. 12) and Cam’Ron Fletcher (No. 43) in the group. It is clear that the Wildcats are once again on the verge of a tremendous class and Ware fits the mold of a strong power forward to join the fray. Considering Kentucky’s ability to send their players to the next level, it seems likely that Ware will be heading to the NBA after a year or two in Lexington.

Looking ahead to the future of Kentucky’s recruiting class, the program is eagerly targeting a few more players, especially in the frontcourt. Some of the key players to keep an eye on include Isaiah Jackson (No. 24), Cliff Omoruyi (No. 46), and Paolo Banchero (reclass candidate). The coaching staff is also looking into adding one more backcourt option to the class and that looks to be potentially filled by Terrence Clarke, who is currently an elite member of the 2021 class poised to reclassify.

Regardless of who Coach Cal finishes the class with, Lance Ware will be an instant impact player for the Wildcats next season. He fits the mold of a steadily-improving power forward that could reach stardom at the college level with his current rate of development. Fans should expect Ware to be a solid contributor to the rotation for one or two seasons before he heads to the next stage in his basketball career.

This is yet another great snag for Coach Calipari and BBN.