# Kevin Ware

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Kevin_Ware
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Kevin_Ware.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Ware
> Source revision: 1356936059
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

For the football player, see [Kevin Ware (American football)](/source/Kevin_Ware_(American_football)).

**Kevin Ware Jr.** (born January 3, 1993) is an American professional [basketball](/source/Basketball) player. He is a former player for the [University of Louisville](/source/Louisville_Cardinals_men's_basketball). Ware received widespread [media attention](/source/15_minutes_of_fame) when he suffered an [open fracture](/source/Open_fracture) of the [tibia](/source/Tibia) in his right leg during an [Elite Eight](/source/Elite_Eight) game against the [Duke Blue Devils](/source/Duke_Blue_Devils) on March 31, 2013.[1] He had also represented [Jordan](/source/Jordan_men's_national_basketball_team) at the [2022 Arab Basketball Championship](/source/2022_Arab_Basketball_Championship).

## Early life

Ware was born on January 3, 1993, in [Bronx, New York](/source/Bronx,_New_York), to Lisa Junior and Kevin Ware Sr. Ware grew up with three sisters: Donna, Brittney, and Khadijah.[2] Ware and his family moved to [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta) when he was 14, but shortly after, they moved to [Rockdale County, Georgia](/source/Rockdale_County,_Georgia), so the family could live in "more of a quiet area."[3] [Scout](/source/Scout.com) and [Rivals.com](/source/Rivals.com) both listed Ware as a four-star prospect out of a possible five stars, while [ESPN](/source/ESPN) gave him a 92/100 rating.[4][5][6] He had a broken hand in July 2010. Ware had signed a [letter-of-intent](/source/National_Letter_of_Intent) with Tennessee, but changed his mind after [Bruce Pearl](/source/Bruce_Pearl) was fired as Tennessee's basketball coach.[7] His choices were down to Georgia and Louisville before picking the Cardinals.[8]

## College career

In his freshman season, Ware played limited minutes. In his sophomore year, his minutes began to increase as Louisville's first guard off the bench to relieve [Peyton Siva](/source/Peyton_Siva) or [Russ Smith](/source/Russ_Smith_(basketball)). Ware had disciplinary issues, however, and [Rick Pitino](/source/Rick_Pitino) suspended him for a game against [Pittsburgh](/source/2012%E2%80%9313_Pittsburgh_Panthers_men's_basketball_team).[9] After his return, Ware's production and minutes increased for the remainder of the season. In consecutive games in the [NCAA tournament](/source/2013_NCAA_Division_I_men's_basketball_tournament), Ware dished a career high 5 assists against [Colorado State](/source/2012%E2%80%9313_Colorado_State_Rams_men's_basketball_team), then scored a career high 11 points against [Oregon](/source/2012%E2%80%9313_Oregon_Ducks_men's_basketball_team).[10]

### Injury

On March 31, 2013, in the first half of an [Elite 8](/source/Elite_8) game against [Duke](/source/2012-13_Duke_Blue_Devils_men's_basketball_team), Ware landed awkwardly on his right leg after attempting to block a shot, causing an [open fracture](/source/Open_fracture) which protruded several inches out of his shin.[11] Players and coaches on both teams were visibly shaken at the sight of the injury.[1] While lying on the floor of the court, Ware repeatedly said, "I'm fine, just win the game."[1] After being tended to courtside for several minutes, Ware was carried off on a stretcher and was taken by ambulance to [Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis](/source/Methodist_Hospital_of_Indianapolis).[12] Surgeons inserted a rod into his [tibia](/source/Tibia) in a two-hour operation. In a performance the players dedicated to Ware, Louisville beat Duke 85–63. As the game concluded, Louisville forward [Chane Behanan](/source/Chane_Behanan) wore Ware's jersey in a show of solidarity for his teammate.[13]

Many NBA players showed their support for Ware and shared their sympathies through [Twitter](/source/Twitter).[14] Former [NFL](/source/National_Football_League) quarterback [Joe Theismann](/source/Joe_Theismann) and the [Louisville Cardinals](/source/Louisville_Cardinals) former running back [Michael Bush](/source/Michael_Bush), who both have gone through the same kind of injury, called to give their support.[15] Ware traveled with the team to the [Final Four](/source/Final_Four) in Atlanta,[16] where he sat alongside his teammates as they won the national championship game (which was later vacated due to the [2015 sex scandal](/source/2015_University_of_Louisville_basketball_sex_scandal)).

### 2013–14 season

Ware returned to competitive basketball for the first time during an exhibition game against the [University of Pikeville](/source/University_of_Pikeville), entering the game midway through the second half. Ware received a standing ovation upon entering the game, and another after making his first shot, finishing with six points and four rebounds.[17] He played in nine games that season.

Ware announced that he would [redshirt](/source/Redshirt_(college_sports)) the 2013–2014 season in order to continue his recovery. He later decided to transfer in order to "move on," and move to a school closer to the state of Georgia such as Tennessee, Georgia State, or Auburn.[citation needed]

On April 12, 2014, Ware officially transferred to [Georgia State University](/source/Georgia_State_University).[18] He started the 2014–15 season with two years of eligibility, and the NCAA granted Ware a waiver from its rule requiring transfers to sit out a year.[19] Ware was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2015 [Sun Belt Conference men's basketball tournament](/source/Sun_Belt_Conference_men's_basketball_tournament) in which he led [Georgia State](/source/Georgia_State_Panthers_men's_basketball) to victory in the championship game, earning GSU a ticket to the [NCAA tournament](/source/2015_NCAA_Division_I_men's_basketball_tournament) where they upset third seeded [Baylor](/source/2014%E2%80%9315_Baylor_Bears_basketball_team) in the first round, before falling to [Xavier](/source/2014-15_Xavier_Musketeers_men's_basketball_team) in the second round.

## Professional career

On November 25, 2016, Ware signed with the Czech team [BC Brno](/source/BC_Brno),[20] after having started the season with the Finnish team [Kauhajoen Karhu](/source/Kauhajoen_Karhu).

On July 30, 2017, Ware joined [Faros Larissas](/source/GSL_Faros_BC) of the [Greek Basket League](/source/Greek_Basket_League).[21] Ware averaged 12.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists for Faros Larissas. He signed with the [London Lightning](/source/London_Lightning) of the [National Basketball League of Canada](/source/National_Basketball_League_of_Canada) on August 29, 2018.[22]

On August 12, 2020, Ware signed with the [London Lions](/source/London_Lions_(basketball)) for the [2020–21 BBL season](/source/2020%E2%80%9321_British_Basketball_League_season).[23] He joined [Novi Pazar](/source/OKK_Novi_Pazar) of the Serbian league in 2021, averaging 15.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.8 steals per game. On January 3, 2022, Ware signed with [Al Naft Baghdad](/source/Al-Naft_SC_(basketball)) of the [Iraqi Basketball League](/source/Iraqi_Basketball_League).[24]

## References

1. Wolken, Don (March 31, 2013). ["Louisville's Kevin Ware suffers gruesome leg injury, players emotional"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2013/03/31/louisvilles-kevin-ware-suffers-gruesome-leg-injury-players-emotional/2040609/). *[USA Today](/source/USA_Today)*

1. ["Kevin Ware"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130322155117/http://www.gocards.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/kevin_ware_771529.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.gocards.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/kevin_ware_771529.html) on March 22, 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2013.

1. ["Know your Cardinals: Sophomore guard Kevin Ware"](https://www.louisvillecardinal.com/2013/02/cardinals-sophomore-guard-kevin-ware/). 20 February 2013.

1. ["Kevin Ware"](https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/recruiting/player-Kevin-Ware-80046). Rivals.com. Retrieved March 31, 2013.

1. ["2011 Louisville Basketball Commits"](http://louisville.scout.com/a.z?s=17&p=9&cfg=bb&c=8&yr=2011). Scout.com. Retrieved March 31, 2013.

1. ["ESPN"](https://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/school?id=97&class=2011). *ESPN.com*. Retrieved March 31, 2013.

1. Paul Fortenberry VolQuest.com (2011-03-21). ["Signee Ware asks out of LOI"](https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?ReturnTo=&sid=&script=content.asp&cid=1202833&fid=&tid=&mid=&rid=). Basketballrecruiting.rivals.com. Retrieved 2013-04-04.

1. ["Ware & Hancock Added to UofL Men's Basketball Roster"](https://archive.today/20130412035530/http://www.whas11.com/entertainment/Ware--Hancock-Added-to-UofL-Mens-Basketball-Roster-123365243.html). WHAS TV. Archived from [the original](http://www.whas11.com/entertainment/Ware--Hancock-Added-to-UofL-Mens-Basketball-Roster-123365243.html) on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2013.

1. ["Wayne Blackshear (shoulder), Kevin Ware (suspension) out vs. Pitt"](https://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/blog/eye-on-college-basketball/21621110/wayne-blackshear-shoulder-kevin-ware-suspension-out-vs-pitt). *[CBS Sports](/source/CBS_Sports)*. Retrieved April 1, 2013.

1. ["Ware Has Successful Surgery To Repair Broken Leg"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130404081655/http://www.gocards.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/033113aaa.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.gocards.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/033113aaa.html) on 2013-04-04. Retrieved 2013-04-01.

1. Sifferlin, Alexandra (April 1, 2013). ["Kevin Ware's Awful Break: How Could It Happen?"](https://healthland.time.com/2013/04/01/kevin-wares-awful-break-how-could-it-happen/#ixzz2PK2wI9hw). *Time*

1. Schwartz, Nick (March 31, 2013). ["Louisville's Kevin Ware receives outpouring of support following horrific injury"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/03/31/kevin-ware-louisville-broken-leg-injury-duke-blue-devils-ncaa-tournament/2040615/). *USA Today*

1. ["Chane Behanan Wears Kevin Ware's Jersey During Final Moments of Louisville's Win Over Duke"](http://nesn.com/2013/03/chane-behanan-wears-kevin-wares-jersey-during-final-moments-of-louisvilles-win-over-duke-photos/). [NESN](/source/NESN). March 31, 2013.

1. ["Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant and other NBA players show support for injured Louisville player"](https://archive.today/20130411115758/http://blog.newsok.com/thunderrumblings/2013/04/01/kevin-durant-kobe-bryant-and-other-nba-players-show-support-for-injured-louisville-player/). *NewsOK*. April 1, 2013. Archived from [the original](http://blog.newsok.com/thunderrumblings/2013/04/01/kevin-durant-kobe-bryant-and-other-nba-players-show-support-for-injured-louisville-player/) on April 11, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2013.

1. ["Chicago Bears news-: Michael Bush reaches out to injured Ware – Chicago Tribune"](https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/04/01/bears-bush-reaches-out-to-injured-ware/). Articles.chicagotribune.com. 2013-03-31. Retrieved 2013-04-04.

1. ["Kevin Ware OK'd for trip to Atlanta"](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/tournament/2013/story/_/id/9129166/kevin-ware-louisville-cardinals-travel-team-cites-freak-play). [ESPN](/source/ESPN). 3 April 2013.

1. ["Kevin Ware returns in exhibition"](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/9938040/kevin-ware-louisville-cardinals-returns-exhibition-win). [ESPN](/source/ESPN). 2013-11-06.

1. ["Ex-L'ville G Ware transferring to Georgia St."](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/10772074/kevin-ware-transferring-georgia-state-panthers). 12 April 2014.

1. Norlander, Matt (June 19, 2014). ["Kevin Ware eligible to play at Georgia State next season"](http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24592320/former-louisville-g-kevin-ware-eligible-to-play-at-georgia-state-next-season). *CBS Sports*. Retrieved April 3, 2017.

1. ["Kevin Ware inks with Basket Brno"](http://www.sportando.com/en/europe/czech-republic/218497/kevin-ware-inks-with-basket-brno.html). 25 November 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2016.

1. ["Faros sign Kevin Ware"](https://www.a1basket.gr/2017/07/faros-sign-kevin-ware.html). 1 October 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2017.

1. ["London Lightning officially sign Kevin Ware"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180830110156/https://sportando.basketball/en/america/canada/287025/london-lightning-officially-sign-kevin-ware.html). *Sportando*. Archived from [the original](https://sportando.basketball/en/america/canada/287025/london-lightning-officially-sign-kevin-ware.html) on August 30, 2018. Retrieved August 29, 2018.

1. ["Kevin Ware Defies The Odds"](https://www.thelondonlions.com/kevin-ware-defies-the-odds/). *www.thelondonlions.com*. 2020-08-12. Retrieved 2020-08-13.[dead link]

1. Madwar, Ahmad (January 3, 2022). ["Al Naft sign a second foreign player, ex Novi Pazar"](https://www.eurobasket.com/Serbia/news/724769/Al-Naft-sign-a-second-foreign-player,-ex-Novi-Pazar). *Eurobasket*. Retrieved January 3, 2022.

## External links

- [Georgia State Panthers bio](http://www.georgiastatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209537285)
- [ESPN video covering Ware's injury and decision to transfer](https://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=12501455)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kevin Ware](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Ware) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Ware?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.