ARLINGTON, Texas – Lance Ware, a 6-9 forward transfer from Kentucky and most recently Villanova, will join Head Coach KT Turner and the UT Arlington men's basketball program for the 2024-25 season. It's a reunion for coach Turner and Ware, as the pair were at Kentucky during the 2022-23 season.
 
Ware appeared in 33 games as a reserve, averaging 10.5 minutes per contest and connected on .483 percent of his field goal attempts during his lone season at Villanova. During the postseason play at the National Invitational Tournament, Ware contributed two assists and two rebounds in six minutes and 32 seconds of action against VCU. During the Big East regular season, Ware added four points and four rebounds to a 75-47 win over Georgetown on February 27. In a win over Butler, he collected five rebounds. Ware blocked three shots to go with six rebounds in a 68-50 win over Providence. He registered a season-high eight points to go with six rebounds in a win over DePaul. Contributed six points, two rebounds and a blocked shot in a win at DePaul on December 23. During non-conference play, his 19 minutes and 18 seconds at Kansas State on December 5 was a season-high while his seven rebounds on December 2 vs. Drexel were a season-high as well. 
 
Before his single season at Villanova, Ware spent three seasons at Kentucky where he appeared in 77 games, making nine starts.
 
In his last season in Lexington, Ware played in 28 games, including six starts and averaged 2.0 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. He totaled a season-high 30 minutes with six boards, six points and three assists at Missouri. In his six starts this season, Ware averaged 5.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 1.0 steals and shot .591 percent from the field. Played 14 important minutes for the Cats against UCLA, scoring two points, and had season highs in rebounds (5) and assists (3). Had a career-high 12 points and added a pair of blocks in the win over South Carolina State. Posted a game- and career-best four steals to go along with four points and three rebounds against Howard.
 
During his sophomore campaign at Kentucky, Ware was named to the 2021-22 SEC Community Service Team. He appeared in 28 games in his second season with the Wildcats. Ware led the team in blocks in four games. Played a season-high 16 minutes and snared six rebounds in the SEC Tournament semifinals against Tennessee. Finished with a pair of steals, while also adding three rebounds in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals against Vanderbilt. Had four points and a season-high seven rebounds in the home win over Florida. Tallied four points and four rebounds in 10 highly effective minutes at Kansas. Had five points and three boards in the SEC opener against Missouri.
 
In his first season donning the blue and white, Ware was a key reserve for the Wildcats who added physicality and quality rebounding, appearing in 21 games and making three starts. Led the team in rebounds in two games and in blocks twice, while also topping the team in steals once. Produced a pair of double-figure rebounding efforts. Grabbed four rebounds in the Southeastern Conference Tournament game against Mississippi State. Played 29 minutes and recorded eight points, 10 rebounds and three blocks at No. 18/17 Missouri. Totaled seven points and a pair of rebounds in the win over LSU. Notched four points, a career-high 13 rebounds and a career-best four assists in the double-overtime win at Mississippi State. Ware's breakout game came against No. 22/21 North Carolina with four points, seven rebounds and two steals in 21 minutes of action. He scored his first career point with a free throw against Georgia Tech. Had five rebounds, two blocks and a steal in his collegiate debut against Morehead State.
 
A native of Burlington, New Jersey, where he attended Camden High School. Ware averaged 11.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks in his senior season, leading the Panthers to a 29-1 record and winning their final 25 games to claim the South Jersey, Group 2 championship, and the No. 1 spot in the final NJ.com Top 50 rankings. Named the NJ.com Player of the Year and was a NJ.com All-State First Team selection. Averaged 11.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game during the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League in 2019 while also performing well at the Peach Jam finals in 2019, averaging 14.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. Selected to the Allen Iverson Roundball Classic. Four-star prospect ranked as high as No. 36 in the class by Rivals. Coached at Camden by Rick Brunson, father of Wildcats' legend Jalen Brunson.
 
Ware joins Jaxon Ellingsworth, Troy Hupstead, Darius Burford, Brody Robinson, Diante Smith, Jaden Wells, Jarren Cook, Raysean Seamster and Cameron Jackson as signees for the upcoming 2024-25 season.
 

 
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