HEAT UPDATES: Heat planing to honour legend by having his famous No. 40 jersey immortalize

The Miami Heat intend to immortalize Udonis Haslem’s No. 40 jersey next month.

During halftime of the Heat’s Jan. 19 game against the Atlanta Hawks, Haslem’s jersey will be raised into the rafters at Kaseya Center in Miami, Fla.

Haslem played his entire 20-year career for the Heat, retiring at the end of the 2022-23 season. He was a member of the franchise’s first three championship teams, including the 2006 title and back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013. With 5,791 rebounds, Haslem is also the Heat’s all-time leading rebounder.

 

Haslem personified the “Heat Culture” mantra that Heat president Pat Riley has repeatedly tried to instill in Miami’s players over the years.

“It’s about leaving a great legacy,” Riley said of the decision to retire Haslem’s jersey. “A ‘thank you’ moment earned through 20 years of being an incredible championship player and, most importantly, the best leader.” He’ll have his moment, and I can’t wait to see his jersey in the rafters.”

Haslem’s jersey will be the Heat’s sixth to be retired. He will be honored alongside Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade.

 

It’s not every day that a player with 7.5 points and 6.6 rebounds gets his jersey retired. But it’s easy to understand why, given what Haslem meant to the Heat organization and fans.