Lance Ware (Vicky Graff Photo)
Not only is Lance Ware staying at Kentucky for a second season but he’s coming back with the kind of attitude that UK fans should like. While UK basketball players normally are off-limits to media members once the season ends, Ware talked to Dushawn London of 247Sports while he was back home in New Jersey after UK’s season-ending loss to Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament.
“I just feel like I have development in my game where I can continue to get better,” Ware told London. “Next year we have a lot of room to improve from last year so I’m just focused on getting better and coming in with a different mindset of taking every game seriously, executing, and listening to what Coach is saying.”
He said personally he wants to “get more comfortable offensively” and is open to playing wherever coach John Calipari wants to use him
“I’ll play whatever Cal thinks I should be playing,” Ware told London. “I’ll be fine with that. I’m still going to bring my energy, rebounding and all the stuff I did this year but just being better at it. I have some experience and know how things work so it will be a little different.”
Ware’s energy and effort were not problems. He was also one of Kentucky’s more physical players when he got extended playing time. However, his offensive skills were limited — and he gets that. He said he was already working to improve his 15-foot jump shot while also lifting weights to get stronger.
“Honestly I learned how to fight,” he said about last season. “Obviously competing against Olivier (Sarr) and Isaiah (Jackson) helped me get better offensively. Defensively it helped me because obviously Olivier is really skilled and Isaiah is a freakish athlete so it just helped me learn how to fight and be professional about everything and staying in the gym.”
A more mature, more skilled Ware certainly would be a boost to Calipari’s team. He will give UK another physical presence to go with Oscar Tshwiebe, a transfer from West Virginia.
