Haslem, 42, is a local product who led Miami Senior High School
to state titles in 1997 and 1998 before playing in college at
Florida. Undrafted, he played one season in Europe before
joining the Heat ahead of the 2003-04 season.
The 6-foot-8 Haslem is the longest-tenured player in Heat
history and has been a part of all three NBA titles won by the
franchise -- in 2006, 2012 and 2013.
He has played sparingly the past three seasons. In 2021-22, he
appeared in 13 games, averaging 2.5 points and 1.9 rebounds in
6.4 minutes per game.
But Heat owner Micky Arison, president Pat Riley and head coach
Erik Spoelstra consider him a valuable leader in the locker room
and on the bench. And last year, Haslem said he'd like to reach
20 seasons, in part to honor his late father, Johnnie, who
passed away last Aug. 30.
"If I can get 20 years, it'll be an amazing career for a kid
that no one thought would play in the league," Haslem told GQ.
"All my sacrifices, everything I've given, the only thing I've
asked for is to try to get to 20. I wanna give that to myself,
and I wanted to give it to my father."
In 872 career games (500 starts) Haslem has averaged 7.5 points
and 6.6 rebounds.
Only eight NBA players have played 20 seasons, and he will join
Dirk Nowitzki and Kobe Bryant as the only two to play for only
one franchise.
Among active players, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony also have
played 19 seasons.
--Field Level Media
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