Udonis Haslem

Udonis Haslem, known simply as "UD," is a professional basketball player, father & husband, businessman, and philanthropist. At 40 years old, the three-time NBA Champion and Co-Team Captain of the Miami HEAT is now the second oldest active player in the league. As the only undrafted player to hold this long of a career, UD's entire 17-year NBA run to date has been with the HEAT, a distinction that currently makes it the longest streak by any active player with only one team in the league. UD's leadership, voice, work ethic, and passion - on and off the court - make him the embodiment of Miami HEAT culture and a beacon in the City of Miami. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, UD takes great pride in the city where he lives, and great honor in the opportunity he has earned to represent that city. After graduating from Miami Senior High School, UD went to the University of Florida, where he played basketball for Coach Billy Donovan as the starting center for four NCAA tournament teams. Post-graduation, UD spent the 2002-2003 season with Chalon Sur-Saone in France, before signing with the Miami HEAT as a free agent in August of 2003. Throughout his life, UD has embodied the importance of lifting others up and is known by his teammates as the true backbone of the Miami HEAT and the real Mr. 305. Through good and bad times, UD has proven to always be there for his teammates, and in turn, has worked tirelessly to play that same role with the Miami community at large. When discussing challenges both on and off the court, UD notes, "…when I'm challenged, and at the bottom, the last thing you're going to hear me say is this is too hard. I'm never going to say it's too hard. I'm never going to complain. I'm always going to find a way to overcome the odds." And that, he has. As a distinguished Miami-Dade public school graduate, UD always strives to offer opportunities to those in need within his community. In 2005, UD founded the Udonis Haslem Children's Foundation, with the mission to promote youth development and self-confidence through programs and services designed to enable them to reach their full personal and educational potential. Every year, the foundation hosts its 'Annual Christmas Honor Roll,' a full-day excursion event to recognize children from Miami-Dade public schools who have academically excelled despite various sociodemographic factors. In 2020, UD's humanitarian efforts took center stage when the world was hit with the COVID- 19 pandemic. In addition to writing a passionate, heartfelt essay titled The Real Miami, published on The Players’ Tribune, UD recognizes his responsibility as a prominent leader on and off the court throughout the community. In March 2020, UD partnered with Ken Russell, a Miami city commissioner, to launch his 'Power Forward Through Hunger' initiative in partnership with the Udonis Haslem Children's Foundation. This initiative focused on feeding underprivileged and at-risk communities throughout Miami by personally delivering pre- packaged meals. Furthermore, UD delivered meals from his restaurant 800° Degrees to frontline workers (Hospitals, Police & Fire Stations). Speaking for those who didn't have a voice, UD also made several appearances on both local and national news outlets and webinars, offering motivational words to the community, while working tirelessly to do his part during the pandemic. Off the court, UD has proven to be a successful businessman. In 2013, UD decided to venture outside of the basketball world and opened his first Subway franchise. As his business interests grew, UD partnered with JFC Management Holdings to become a Starbucks and Einstein Bagels licensee in 2016. UD also partners with CareerSource Florida and the Employ Miami-Dade Project to hire and train local job seekers and young adults from low-income families to work at his Starbucks and Einstein Bros. Bagels stores. Today, he is a franchisee of four Subway sandwich shops, and as a partner of JFC Miami, licenses two Starbucks locations and an Einstein Bros. Bagels. In 2017, UD joined forces with close friend and teammate Dwyane Wade to launch Forty-Three Enterprises, LLC, a joint company named after their respective jersey numbers. In 2018, they opened the company's first venture, 800° Degrees Woodfired Kitchen in Aventura. In 2016, UD was inducted into the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Sports Hall of Champions for his athletic accomplishments as the longest-tenured member in the Miami HEAT franchise. In 2019, UD accepted the prestigious Don Shula Sports Legend Award - an honor bestowed on select individuals who have accomplished extraordinary achievements both on the field of play of their respective sports, as well as off the court as a significant contributor to the community. UD resides in Miami, Florida and is a proud husband to his wife Faith, and father to three sons, Kedonis, Elijah, and Josiah.