The Miami Heat are making waves in the Summer League circuit with some surprising additions to their roster, including former Indiana Hoosiers standout, Oumar Ballo. The Heat are looking to build on their Las Vegas Summer League title from last year.
Ballo, a 7-foot center, will join former Hoosier Kel'el Ware, who is returning for his second season with the Heat. Ware had a successful Summer League in 2024, earning NBA 2K25 All-Summer League first team honors and helping Miami win the championship. In six games in Las Vegas, Ware averaged 18 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks, shooting 61.8% from the field. He also played in two games in the California Classic, posting 19 points and 8.5 rebounds per contest.
Ballo averaged 13 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game for Indiana last season, while shooting 62.3 percent from the field. He started 29 of the 31 games he played. Before his time as a Hoosier, Ballo played at Gonzaga and Arizona. Over his 163-game college career, Ballo has averaged 10.3 points, seven rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 21.5 minutes per game.
The Heat will participate in two Summer League events: the California Classic from July 5-8 at Chase Center in San Francisco, and the Las Vegas NBA Summer League from July 10-20. The Heat's summer league team will begin practicing on July 2 and open summer league play in San Francisco against the San Antonio Spurs on July 5.
Other players on the Heat's Summer League roster include first-round pick Kasparas Jakucionis, Vlad Goldin, Marcus Williams, Steve Settle III, Dain Dainja, JC Butler, Javonte Cooke, Kira Lewis, Bryson Warren, Pelle Larsson, Myron Gardner and Keshad Johnson.
Several players from the Heat's previous Summer League team will not be returning, including Isaiah Stevens and Josh Christopher.
Heat assistant coach Eric Glass will serve as the team's summer league head coach.
These players without NBA contracts are competing for standard or two-way deals from Miami or another NBA team. The Heat's 15-man standard roster is nearly full, with only one of its three two-way contract slots filled. Guard Dru Smith could return to the Heat on a two-way deal.
The Heat are looking to repeat their success from last year's Summer League, where they defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 120-118 in overtime to win the championship.
