One day after introducing the Heat Culture court, the Miami Heat announced a move that reflects the team’s identity.
Franchise cornerstone Udonis Haslem is taking on a new role in the Heat’s front office as vice president of basketball development. The team made the announcement in conjunction with a statement from team president Pat Riley.
“Born and raised in Miami, UD has been an integral part of the success of the Heat for 20 years,” Riley said via the statement. “It’s great that he has chosen to continue to build on his incredible legacy here in Miami, where he belongs.”
Haslem, who is 43 years old, spent 20 seasons in the NBA, all of them with the Heat, and holds the record for the franchise’s all-time leading rebounder and has served as a 16-time team captain.
His tenure spanned different team eras, from the Shaq-Dwyane Wade championship in 2006 to the LeBron James-Chris Bosh-Wade era that resulted in two more championships, to the current Jimmy Butler-led era in which the Heat have consistently surpassed expectations, making two trips to the NBA Finals.
Haslem officially retired last offseason. However, in his final years as a player, his direct impact was minimal, with only 102 regular season games played in his last eight seasons and 25 appearances in his last four.
The Heat retained him on the roster not for his playing ability, but as a de facto coach and mentor who embodied “Heat Culture,” helping to instill the team philosophy that starts with Riley.
Now retired, he will continue to do so from the front office.
