Miami Heat’s legend Udonis Haslem will have his No. 40 jersey retired by the franchise. The retirement ceremony will be held on January 19 at the halftime of the game against the Atlanta Hawks.

Haslem will become just the sixth player in Heat history to receive this honor. He will join Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade.

Haslem spent all of his 20 seasons in the NBA with the Heat. Only Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) and Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks) spent as many or more years with the same franchise.

During his time with the Heat, Haslem won three NBA titles while serving as the team’s locker room leader. He retired after the 2022–23 NBA season, having averaged 7.5 points and 6.6 rebounds during his time as a pro.

Haslem remained with the Heat after his retirement and currently serves as the franchise’s vice president of basketball development.

“It’s about a great legacy, a Thank You moment that has been earned over 20 years of being an incredible championship player and, most importantly, the best leader,” said Heat’s president Pat Riley in a team-released statement. “He’s going to have his day, and I can’t wait to see his jersey hang in the rafters.”

The post Heat Will Retire Udonis Haslem’s No. 40 Jersey appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Udonis Haslem announced at his basketball camp in Miami on Sunday that he will be returning to the Miami Heat to complete his 20th season in the NBA. The 42-year-old player signed a one-year contract extension with Miami for $2.9 million.

“I have decided to follow through with what me and my father had talked about, and I will finish what I started and I will play 20 years,” Haslem stated in front of a crowd at Miami High, his alma mater. Offered the deal by Miami two months ago, Haslem decided to take some time to debate whether or not to retire from the sport.

Haslem will become the third player ever to feature in 20 NBA seasons for a single franchise, joining Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks. A three-time NBA Champion, Haslem is the Heat’s all-time leader in rebounds. Haslem is also the oldest player overall to have appeared in each of the last two NBA seasons.

Last season, Haslem played 13 games for the Heat, averaging 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds. Over his 19 seasons in the NBA, Haslem has averaged 7.5 points and 6.6 rebounds.

The post Udonis Haslem Returns to NBA for 20th Season Following Retirement Debate appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Veteran power forward Udonis Haslem will be back with the Miami Heat for the 2021-22 NBA season. This will mark Haslem’s 19th season with the franchise he spent his entire NBA career with.

According to reports, Haslem, who turned 41 in June, inked a new one-year deal worth $2.8 million.

Haslem didn’t play much for the Heat recently, totaling just five appearances and 47 minutes on the court in the past two seasons. However, Miami’s coaching staff values the veteran for setting an example for younger players and playing the role of a team leader.

After going undrafted in the 2002 NBA Draft, Haslem, who is a Miami native, went overseas and played one season in France with Elan Chalon. After putting up good performances in Europe, he returned to the U.S. in 2003 and signed with the Heat.

During his time with the team, Haslem helped the Heat win three titles and reach the NBA Finals six times. He is currently the franchise leader in rebounds and seventh on the all-time scoring list.

“Udonis Haslem has agreed to come back and play the game he loves so much,” said Heat president Pat Riley in a statement. “What he loves more than that is to be on the court teaching and competing against the world’s best.”

The post Udonis Haslem Re-Signs With Miami Heat appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Veteran Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem revealed to beat writer Ira Winderman over the weekend that he will return to the team for his eighteenth season in 2020-21.

Haslem, who signed with the Heat as an undrafted free agent in the summer of 2003, will come back once again to contribute to the franchise that he has helped win three NBA titles.

He is set to sign a contract for one year that will be worth $2.6 million in total, making him set to be the only 40-year-old player in the league next year.

The Miami native’s upcoming season with the team will make him only sixth player in the history of the league to spend at least 18 seasons with one franchise. While Haslem doesn’t play regularly any more, his presence in the team’s locker room and as a mentor has been lauded as crucial to their success.

During the Heat’s run to the NBA Finals, coach Erik Spoelstra talked about why he is so happy to have Haslem around. “He’s just an incredible rock of stability and leadership and mentorship …. He provides just great guidance and mentorship to this head coach as well. I love him,” Spoelstra explained.

Haslem appeared in four games as a bench player last season, averaging 3 points and 4 rebounds per game in limited minutes.

It remains to be seen whether or not the 2020-21 season will be Haslem’s last go in Miami, but his team will be able to enjoy having him around at least for another campaign.

The post Udonis Haslem to Return for 18th Season with Miami Heat appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Miami Heat power forward Udonis Haslem might be 39 years old, but he believes that he still has some basketball left in him.

So much so, in fact, that he inked a one-year deal worth $2.6 million to remain with the Miami Heat for the 17th consecutive season, which will set a mark for longevity with one franchise that only six players in the history of the league have reached.

After going undrafted out of the University of Florida in 2002, he spent one season playing overseas in France before signing a deal with the Heat in 2003. Ever since then, he has played with the South Florida team and become one of the most iconic players in the history of the franchise.

Haslem played a key role in all three of the franchise’s championships in 2005, 2012, and 2013. He has been long known for his rebounding and defensive prowess in the paint, which has long endeared him to Miami fans.

The Heat will keep Haslem around for at least another season despite the veteran big man not having played in more than a handful of games over the past four seasons. In 2018-19, the Florida alum appeared in only 10 games for the Heat, averaging 2.5 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.

No matter what, Miami will enjoy having Haslem’s veteran presence around for another season.

The post Udonis Haslem Returns to Miami Heat for 17th Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Miami Heat’s legend Udonis Haslem will have his No. 40 jersey retired by the franchise. The retirement ceremony will be held on January 19 at the halftime of the game against the Atlanta Hawks.

Haslem will become just the sixth player in Heat history to receive this honor. He will join Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade.

Haslem spent all of his 20 seasons in the NBA with the Heat. Only Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) and Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks) spent as many or more years with the same franchise.

During his time with the Heat, Haslem won three NBA titles while serving as the team’s locker room leader. He retired after the 2022–23 NBA season, having averaged 7.5 points and 6.6 rebounds during his time as a pro.

Haslem remained with the Heat after his retirement and currently serves as the franchise’s vice president of basketball development.

“It’s about a great legacy, a Thank You moment that has been earned over 20 years of being an incredible championship player and, most importantly, the best leader,” said Heat’s president Pat Riley in a team-released statement. “He’s going to have his day, and I can’t wait to see his jersey hang in the rafters.”

The post Heat Will Retire Udonis Haslem’s No. 40 Jersey appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Udonis Haslem announced at his basketball camp in Miami on Sunday that he will be returning to the Miami Heat to complete his 20th season in the NBA. The 42-year-old player signed a one-year contract extension with Miami for $2.9 million.

“I have decided to follow through with what me and my father had talked about, and I will finish what I started and I will play 20 years,” Haslem stated in front of a crowd at Miami High, his alma mater. Offered the deal by Miami two months ago, Haslem decided to take some time to debate whether or not to retire from the sport.

Haslem will become the third player ever to feature in 20 NBA seasons for a single franchise, joining Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks. A three-time NBA Champion, Haslem is the Heat’s all-time leader in rebounds. Haslem is also the oldest player overall to have appeared in each of the last two NBA seasons.

Last season, Haslem played 13 games for the Heat, averaging 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds. Over his 19 seasons in the NBA, Haslem has averaged 7.5 points and 6.6 rebounds.

The post Udonis Haslem Returns to NBA for 20th Season Following Retirement Debate appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Veteran power forward Udonis Haslem will be back with the Miami Heat for the 2021-22 NBA season. This will mark Haslem’s 19th season with the franchise he spent his entire NBA career with.

According to reports, Haslem, who turned 41 in June, inked a new one-year deal worth $2.8 million.

Haslem didn’t play much for the Heat recently, totaling just five appearances and 47 minutes on the court in the past two seasons. However, Miami’s coaching staff values the veteran for setting an example for younger players and playing the role of a team leader.

After going undrafted in the 2002 NBA Draft, Haslem, who is a Miami native, went overseas and played one season in France with Elan Chalon. After putting up good performances in Europe, he returned to the U.S. in 2003 and signed with the Heat.

During his time with the team, Haslem helped the Heat win three titles and reach the NBA Finals six times. He is currently the franchise leader in rebounds and seventh on the all-time scoring list.

“Udonis Haslem has agreed to come back and play the game he loves so much,” said Heat president Pat Riley in a statement. “What he loves more than that is to be on the court teaching and competing against the world’s best.”

The post Udonis Haslem Re-Signs With Miami Heat appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Veteran Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem revealed to beat writer Ira Winderman over the weekend that he will return to the team for his eighteenth season in 2020-21.

Haslem, who signed with the Heat as an undrafted free agent in the summer of 2003, will come back once again to contribute to the franchise that he has helped win three NBA titles.

He is set to sign a contract for one year that will be worth $2.6 million in total, making him set to be the only 40-year-old player in the league next year.

The Miami native’s upcoming season with the team will make him only sixth player in the history of the league to spend at least 18 seasons with one franchise. While Haslem doesn’t play regularly any more, his presence in the team’s locker room and as a mentor has been lauded as crucial to their success.

During the Heat’s run to the NBA Finals, coach Erik Spoelstra talked about why he is so happy to have Haslem around. “He’s just an incredible rock of stability and leadership and mentorship …. He provides just great guidance and mentorship to this head coach as well. I love him,” Spoelstra explained.

Haslem appeared in four games as a bench player last season, averaging 3 points and 4 rebounds per game in limited minutes.

It remains to be seen whether or not the 2020-21 season will be Haslem’s last go in Miami, but his team will be able to enjoy having him around at least for another campaign.

The post Udonis Haslem to Return for 18th Season with Miami Heat appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Miami Heat power forward Udonis Haslem might be 39 years old, but he believes that he still has some basketball left in him.

So much so, in fact, that he inked a one-year deal worth $2.6 million to remain with the Miami Heat for the 17th consecutive season, which will set a mark for longevity with one franchise that only six players in the history of the league have reached.

After going undrafted out of the University of Florida in 2002, he spent one season playing overseas in France before signing a deal with the Heat in 2003. Ever since then, he has played with the South Florida team and become one of the most iconic players in the history of the franchise.

Haslem played a key role in all three of the franchise’s championships in 2005, 2012, and 2013. He has been long known for his rebounding and defensive prowess in the paint, which has long endeared him to Miami fans.

The Heat will keep Haslem around for at least another season despite the veteran big man not having played in more than a handful of games over the past four seasons. In 2018-19, the Florida alum appeared in only 10 games for the Heat, averaging 2.5 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.

No matter what, Miami will enjoy having Haslem’s veteran presence around for another season.

The post Udonis Haslem Returns to Miami Heat for 17th Season appeared first on SportzBonanza.