How many players on the Miami Heat roster went undrafted?
Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Heat and the Nuggets takes place tonight in Denver at the Ball Arena.
We are so used to thinking that drafted players are the only ones that are worthy of being in the NBA. So often, teams go crazy trying to collect draft picks, and in the process, they get short-sighted and overlook other prospects. One team is trying to break this cycle, the Miami Heat.
There is something to be said about talent and the Miami Heat. This team has created a system that searches for hidden gems other teams have overlooked. In 2002, one of Miami’s most beloved players went undrafted, and the Heat gave him the opportunity. Udonis Haslem is now 42 and has been with the team for over two decades.
Caleb Martin undrafted
— Ben Stinar (@BenStinar) May 12, 2023
Max Strus - undrafted
Gabe Vincent - undrafted
Duncan Robinson- undrafted
Bam Adebayo- 14th pick
Tyler Herro- 13th pick
Erik Spoelstra hired from within Miami Heat organization
Being bad in the NBA is a choice … talent is everywhere with the right eye👀 pic.twitter.com/GNKAWTnLT8
“I think organizations are doing a better job of doing their homework and not just assuming, because a guy didn’t get drafted, that he can’t help you win,” Haslem said when asked about his career and the change that Miami gave him at NBA stardom. “You can’t measure character or discipline or accountability at the draft combine, and a lot of those things sometimes get overlooked.” The power forward gives a clear example of what scouts and experts overlook when drafting players.
But how many undrafted players do the Miami Heat have?
This season they have a total of 9 undrafted players. Out of those 7 are on the starting roster, Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Caleb Martin, Duncan Robinson, Udonis Haslem, Haywood Highsmith, and Omer Yurtseven.
"I take a lot of pride in being from New Hampshire." @JMarshallWMUR sits down one-on-one with New Castle's @D_Bo20 to talk about the East Finals and his journey from undrafted player to key contributor on @MiamiHEAT. Tune in at 6 PM for the full story @WMUR9_Sports #WMUR pic.twitter.com/dg3RWsNp6C
— Mike Cronin Jr. (@MikeCroninWMUR) May 19, 2023
When asked about the policy of signing guys that others don’t think are NBA caliber Heat’sHeat’s coach Erik Spoelstra said, “If you have a big dream and want to be challenged, we feel like this can be the place for a lot of those kinds of guys.”
Undrafted guys know the grind and what it is to be set aside and not believed in. These guys are the first ones at practice and the last ones to leave. Coach Joe Pasternack recalls a story when he got to the University of California, Santa Barbara. “The first call I got,” Pasternack said, " was from Gabe Vincent saying: ‘’Coach, tell me what you need me to do. Do you need me to call the players? Set up a team meeting?’’ That left an impression.” Gabe was coming from rehab after damaging his anterior ligament, and one can only think of what he went through as his dreams faded away.
Now the Miami Heat is capitalizing not on the talent that is given but on the one that is earned with sweat, heart, and love for the game. It helps when the one running the show is Pat Riley.