Udonis Haslem: The story behind the career of the Miami legend who became the heart of Heat culture
Congratulated with a rocking chair after his impressive final ever NBA regular season game, the career of the NBA’s current oldest player will be remembered for being the glue that held together one of basketball’s great dynasties.
Basketball
"Not bad for a 42 year old huh?”, Udonis Haslem wrote on his social media account after making his final ever NBA regular season appearance.
The 42-year-old basketball veteran, who rarely steps out onto the hardwood, played 25 minutes in Miami Heat’s final regular season game against the Orlando Magic, putting up 24 points and three rebounds, helping them reach the postseason Play-In tournament.
It was vintage Haslem, who surprised audiences with his best statistical showing since 2009. But the performance was more than just a final farewell display of his well-honed skill.
It was also a nod to the kind of role player the Miami man has come to embody over the course of his 20-year-long career at the Heat: the kind that stands up when asked.
Udonis Haslem: The Captain, The OG, The Anchor, UD
Undrafted in the 2002 NBA Draft, Haslem, born and raised in Miami, signed for his hometown team as a free agent from the University of Florida in 2003.
He made it onto the NBA Rookie team that year, but from then on Haslem never saw his name attached to any other league awards. He never received an All-Star and never, on 438 occasions, made player of the week.
Still, Haslem was able to create a place for himself at the heart of Miami not only as a key member of the Heat’s rotation during all three of the franchise’s NBA titles (2006, 2012, 2013) but even after his minutes significantly dwindled.
The power forward, who eventually fell out of rotation riding the pine, became a powerful and respected voice in the locker room, commanding the best from his teammates and oftentimes inspiring through leading by example.
In a league where egos can reign and star performers soak up the limelight, he became a mentor and motivator, bringing through young players including forging a special bond with Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist Bam Adebayo.
“Udonis is Miami,” Heat President Pat Riley said to the Associated Press speaking about the player’s connection to the team.
“He’s always had tremendous courage. Whatever endeavour, he rises to another level. And you need that. He was for real. He was that kind of man, someone who has tremendous pride being from Miami.”
Echoing Riley’s sentiments, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra got to the heart of the value Haslem has added over the years off the court.
“He’s monumentally important for our organization and our locker room. He embodies everything that we believe in. And he has a way, because of the respect level, that he’s able to influence and mentor literally every player in the locker room.”
"The hearbeat of Miami" is how former Heat teammate LeBron James described the man they call 'UD' in a compilation video of tributes to the retiring star.
The picture often used to paint the hard-working Haslem who inspires grit is the power forward’s rebound count.
Known for hustling on the missed shot, Haslem will retire as the franchise's all-time leader for rebounds: reflecting the doggedness that made him a favourite among the team.
Udonis Haslem: Mentor, Mr. 305 and Miami through-and-through
Udonis is Miami, in the words of Riley, is also true of Haslem when it comes to his local community.
The city native, known for motivating others, carries that same spirit into his charitable work.
Born himself into poverty in Liberty City, a neighbourhood in north Miami, the hardships Haslem endured as a child never left him even as his NBA career took off.
And when, in 2005, after the tragic loss of a friend triggered Haslem’s intervention, the basketball player set up the Udonis Haslem Children’s Foundation (then known as UD Kids) with the mission of helping youth development within the city.
Over the years Haslem’s work has captured headlines from rewarding students of the foundation’s academic achievements with trips to Walmart to provide them presents ahead of Christmas to setting up affordable housing projects in Miami, the Heat star says giving back is ultimately what he is most proud of when it comes to his career.
“To me, there’s no love like the real love that I get. Not the corporate love but love that I get from giving back to people,” Haslem told The Pivot podcast.
“There’s nothing that gives me joy, there’s nothing that fulfils me more than taking care of these people.”
In 2022, the organisation was renamed The Udonis Haslem Foundation to capture the way charity has broadened in scope to include mental health initiatives and criminal justice reform.
Udonis Haslem to have his No 40 jersey retired
Celebrating on Sunday after the final game of his NBA regular season career, which will now be prolonged with a playoff run owing to the Heat’s seventh-place finish in the standings, Haslem was gifted a bespoke rocking chair by the Miami Heat players.
The joke piece, with Haslem’s No 40 printed on it, as well as each of the championships he has won with Miami listed on the side, was given to the player so that he can finally ‘take a seat’ after everything he has done.
Haslem will retire as only the third player ever to spend an entire NBA career lasting at least 20 seasons with one team, putting him on the same list as great German Dirk Nowitzki and the late great Kobe Bryant.
It is expected that Miami will retire his jersey next season in recognition of his service to the club as well as his three championship rings and a franchise record.