Miami High is a school of rich history, tradition, and alumni. With great representatives all over Florida, Miami High holds alumnus Udonis Johneal Haslem especially near and dear as an alumnus, public figure, leader, and legend to many students here at Miami High. Udonis Haslem had been on The Miami Heat for 20 years. He won three championships in 2006, 2012, and 2013, and is an inspiration to many upcoming athletes.

Who is Udonis Haslem?

Born in Miami Florida, Udonis Haslem walked the halls of Miami Senior High from 1997-1998. In these two years he was in Miami High, he was on the basketball team with future NBA player Steve Blake. He led the team to state titles in 1997 and 1998.

Our current principal Mr. Valdes coached Udonis as an assistant coach alongside head coach Frank Martin. “It was many years ago, but it was amazing to have coached him because he was a very hard worker on the court and off,” said Mr. Valdes

According to Wikipedia.Com After graduating High school, he attended the University of Florida with an athletic scholarship. He was starting center for the Gators for 4 years and left a lasting impact where he was inducted in the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a “Gator Great.”

Holiday Invitational and Jersey Retirement

   The current Miami High basketball team hosted the Holiday Invitational Miami where various teams from Florida and Georgia competed on December 27^th, 2022, and December 28^th to. During one of these games, Udonis Haslem’s jersey was retired.

Udonis Haslem spoke to the Miami High team and told them to never stop working hard because despite your upbringing, they can make it happen for themselves.

The impact

“It was great to see a lot of supporters for Udonis Haslem, his teammates, former NBA players, and family. It was a great night,” said senior basketball player Ajay Brown.

Junior Malik Cadet said, “Udonis Haslem gave us a locker room speech. It inspired me because it made me want to work harder to get my jersey retired one day.”

Senior Joshua Middlebrooks says “watching the jersey retirement motivated me to want to go down his same path. We went through the same struggle, but he told us to persevere.”

Current Miami High basketball coach Mr. Govea said, “Udonis Haslem’s history in Miami High is great. He’s a great leader and role model.”  The Miami High team won the game at the end of the night. Coach Govea said it was a great feeling to not only have won, but in front of the Miami Heat.