The veteran of the Miami Heat is all in for one last season.
Udonis Haslem announced Sunday that the 2022-23 NBA season will be his last after contemplating retirement this summer. He broke the news on the last day of his Basketball and Cheer Camp that was held at Miami Senior High School, his alma matter.
One of the main reasons for Haslem’s decision to return was his father, Johnnie, who passed away in August of last year. Johnnie and his son always discussed the goal of playing two decades worth of NBA basketball, now Haslem plans on fulfilling that plan.
“I have decided to follow through on what me and my father, and my father talked about,” Haslem announced. “I will finished what I started, I will play 20 years. I will play this year because I talked about that with my father and that’s the root of it. It won’t be the same, it won’t be as easy, but the goal still remains the same. Win and win a championship.”
Haslem, 42, will be the oldest active player in the NBA and is entering his 20th season in the league, all with the Heat after going undrafted in 2003 out of the University of Florida. He is the organization’s all-time leading rebounder, is second in games played behind Dwyane Wade and ranks top 10 all-time in multiple statistical categories for the Heat including blocks, steals, field goals made, field goals attempted, among others.
His career averages are 7.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, but his impact goes way beyond hardwood.
In addition to being a key contributor on each of Miami’s three championship teams, Haslem has also become the embodiment of the organization’s signature Heat culture, making sure everyone on the roster lives up to the high standard set by team president Pat Riley and that flows throughout the building.
The precedent that he’s set in the building has made a big impact on the Heat’s other stars like Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.
“How he helps prepare me for battle is unreal. He’s been through it all and seen it all,” Adebayo told Yahoo Sports in May. “And in practice, he’s one of the strongest guys you’ll face. That can’t do nothing but get me better. You have to pay attention when he’s talking because you know it’s coming from a place of wanting to see us all reach our heights.”
Riley and coach Erik Spoelstra have cited on multiple occasions how important Haslem has been in carrying on the DNA of those title-winning teams to the current younger core, who have made it to the Eastern Conference Finals in two out of the past three seasons.
Although his minutes per game have dwindled over the past several seasons, Haslem has served as almost another coach on the bench, always animated and ready to give his team a stern talking to when needed.
“You can’t ask for a better, selfless leader to still be engaged and helps better our program,” Spoelstra told Yahoo Sports “He’s all about how can he best help the team. Players think they’re willing to do whatever it takes until they’re asked to sacrifice. UD optimizes what a true winner is in every regard.”
Haslem isn’t expecting much in terms of send-off for his 20th season in the league, and he does not really want one. Seeing his teammates succeed is enough of a goodbye tour for him.
“It’s been a sacrifice, willingly, openly without asking for anything in return,” Haslem said. ”Watching Bam Adebayo play and get his contract and Caleb Martin get his contract and the James Johnson’s and those guys, that’s the farewell tour I want. That’s what I get out of it, that’s my gratification.”
While he’s not quite ready to hang it up yet, there’s no doubt that Haslem’s number 40 jersey will be hanging in the rafters of FTX arena when all is said done.
And he knows exactly what he wants to do when he finally does retire, continue contributing to the Heat culture in a bigger way and give more to the organization that he’s already dedicated two decades to.
“After I finish this season, I want to continue to be a part of the organization at the highest level,” Haslem said. “I want to sit next to Pat. I want to sit next to Andy [Elisburg]. I want to sit next to Micky [Arison], and continue to lead at that level. That’s what’s next for me.”
