A Florida Gators Reunion In Miami!
While the clear storyline of the 2010 NBA Free Agency was the Three Kings, Miami Thrice, or whatever you call Dwyane Wade, Lebron James, and Chris Bosh joining up in Miami, there is another much more hidden storyline in the depths of that Heat team.
The University of Florida Gators played the Michigan State Spartans in the 2000 Men's Basketball National Championship game. On that UF Roster: current Heat PF/C Udonis Haslem and SG/SF Mike Miller. Both players were sophomores at the time and while Mike Miller would enter the NBA Draft and be selected 5th overall by the Magic that summer, they did play together for two seasons.
During that NCAA Tournament run, Miller hit a fantastic game winning layup over Butler as the time expired and Haslem would lead the team in points in their NCAA Championship loss to MSU with 27. Haslem and Miller put Billy Donovan and the Florida Gators on the map.
Miller went on to win NBA Rookie of the Year in 2001, but Udonis stayed at Florida for his final two years, eventually earning the cheer "U!" every time he made a big play. He ended his career as UF's third leading scorer and tenth in rebounds. Haslem went undrafted after his senior season, as he had put on a lot of weight and checked in at over 300 lbs. He was cut by the Hawks and played a season overseas in France and put up big numbers while losing over 70 lbs. He went undrafted again and was signed to the Miami Heat in the summer of 2003. He went on to receive 2nd team all-rookie honors backing up Brian Grant and Lamar Odom.
Haslem has stayed with the Heat his entire career and has become fantastic friends and teammates with Dwyane Wade. He was a must resign this offseason and Pat Riley got a deal done. Miller was dealt to the Grizzlies after a year in Orlando and won 6th man of the year there. 2 years later he was shipped to Minnesota and then after a mere season as a T-Wolf, was sent to Washington and played a year there. But now after a long 10 years of being apart, the career Heat player Haslem and the Journeyman Miller will join together to be key parts to the fantastic roster of the Heat.
They came in the same recruiting class, they played two years of college together, they lost a National Championship, and now, finally, they are reunited on the Miami Heat.
