BLOOMINGTON – IU coach Mike Woodson said Thursday starting center Kel’el Ware has yet to return to contact portions of practice, after suffering an ankle injury that held him out of Friday’s loss at Wisconsin.

Ware, a consistent starter when healthy this season, has returned to conditioning work. But Woodson said he would have a better idea of the sophomore center’s status for Saturday’s trip to Illinois at and after practice Thursday afternoon.

“He was on the floor a little (Wednesday),” Woodson said. “He did some warm-up drills with us. Nothing where he’s had contact, where he has to cut and block out and block shots, things of that nature. He just basically did some endurance stuff with us on the floor during our warmups.

“I’ll get a better feel when I get down there and see where he is today.”

Woodson expressed optimism Monday night during his weekly coach’s show that Ware’s injury should not be serious enough to cost him much time.

Ware suffered the injury in practice between Purdue and Wisconsin. Woodson's characterization offered hope Ware might return soon.

“We’re hoping that he’ll be back Saturday,” Woodson told Don Fischer on Monday night.

Woodson reserved significant praise for the Big Ten’s third-leading rebounder. Ware came to Bloomington via the portal from Oregon, where he’d struggled for minutes. Ducks coach Dana Altman made pointed comments about Ware’s work ethic and effort.

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Through 17 games as a Hoosier, Ware is averaging 14.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. He’s shooting better than 56% on 2s, and 41.7% from behind the 3-point line. His only absences have been the win against Kennesaw State (COVID), and at Wisconsin.

Ware has proven one of the best defensive rebounders in the league, pushing his name into first-round consideration for this summer’s NBA draft.

Leaving Woodson few, if any, of the same complaints.

“This is really the first time he’s been given some significant playing time,” Woodson said. “All the things that were said about him coming in were somewhat trust, but he’s responded to coaching. When you’re young, that’s so important.

“If you want to develop as a player, you’ve got to accept coaching, and he’s done that. He’s improved based on his minutes and his stats so far. He’s done a helluva job for us. I think the sky’s the limit.”

Follow IndyStar reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IU basketball: Kel'el Ware ankle injury has him uncertain vs. Illinois