Udonis Haslem finally called it a career in 2023 after 20 years in the NBA, all spent with the Heat. His impact on the franchise has been incredibly profound—just ask Pat Riley.
The Heat president and former coach got emotional during a Tuesday press conference when he recalled learning that his brother had died back in March 2020. Riley remembers getting the call from his nephew while at a gala and being consoled by Haslem. He tried his best, but the tough-as-nails coach couldn’t help but crack.
Pat Riley gets emotional talking about Udonis Haslem who was there for him when he learned about his brother dying #HEATCulture pic.twitter.com/ml2KdeKDOe
— Brendan Tobin (@Brendan_Tobin) June 20, 2023
“I was just hanging on the chain link fence. And then I felt this hand on my shoulder,” Riley said. “And it was UD. He said, ‘I got you.’ He walked me to my car … that’s the kind of man he is. He’s special, he’s unique, we’re gonna miss him, but he’ll be around.”
Haslem, a Miami native, attended Florida before signing with the Heat in 2003 as an undrafted free agent. Since then, he has won three NBA titles with the franchise and leads the organization in all-time rebounds. But it appears nothing on the court surpassed what he is as a man, according to Riley.
