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Former Florida great Udonis Haslem announces decision for 2022-23 NBA season
By Corey Long
Published:
Udonis Haslem will make it 20.
The veteran forward announced he will return to the Miami Heat for his 20th season in the NBA.
Haslem, 42, has spent all 20 years in the NBA with the Heat and one of the most respected people within the organization. He will sign a one-year deal worth $2.9 million.
In his announcement, which was held at Miami High School, Haslem mentioned conversations with his father, Johnnie Haslem, who died last year.
Udonis Haslem announces he’s returning to the Heat for a 20th NBA season. Says he wants to follow through with what his dad wanted for him — to reach 20 seasons. pic.twitter.com/AfFb9IuF6x
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) August 21, 2022
I will play this year, because I talked about that with my father and that’s what we said we would do,” Haslem said. “It won’t be the same. Won’t be as easy. But the goal still remains the same. Win. Win a championship.”
Haslem has been part of three championship teams with the Heat (2006, 2012, 2013). His role has become more of a player-coach and he appeared in 13 games last season averaging 2.5 points and 1.9 rounds per game.
He averaged 13.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game during his career at Florida from 1998-2002. Haslem was part of the Gators run to the national title game in 2000 where they lost to Michigan State.
Corey Long is a freelance writer for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow Corey on Twitter @CoreyLong.
