Growing up on the mean streets of Miami, nothing was given to Udonis Haslem nor did anything come easy. At almost every corner, his faith was tested.
His biggest test came in July 2010 when his mother, Debra Haslem, died of cancer at age 53.
“Growing up in the inner city, losing my mother to cancer and losing a lot of family and friends to drugs and violence and different things — my faith has been tested a lot,” said Haslem, a power forward for the Miami Heat.
By overcoming hardship and struggles, Debra Haslem became her son’s role model, leaving a “legacy of faith” when she died, said Udonis Haslem, who was 30 at the time of his mother’s death.
While Udonis Haslem was growing up, his mother battled drug abuse. In 2001 she sought treatment and had been drug-free for almost a decade.
“I continued to believe through every trial and tribulation and grow closer and closer to the Lord,” Haslem said. “Without my faith I wouldn’t be here.”
Through it all Haslem has relied on his favorite Bible verse, Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.”
Haslem’s path to the NBA is unlike most. He and teammate Dwayne Wade have played for the same NBA team their entire careers. They are in their 13th season with the Miami Heat.
Athletic Hall of Fame
Playing four seasons with the University of Florida in Gainesville and helping the Gators advance to the NCAA Men’s Division 1 Championship tournament each time, Haslem, who was a center, left with the third most points in school history (1,782) and was 10th in rebounds (831). He averaged 13.7 points and 6.7 rebounds. He was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.
After being an undrafted free agent, Haslem went to France in 2002 to play professionally. During his nine months there, Haslem learned to speak French.
Signed by Miami in 2003, Haslem’s biggest thrill in sports is shown on his fingers — three NBA championship rings (2006, 2012 and 2013).
He is the Heat’s all-time leading rebounder (offensive and defensive) with 5,637 through 21 games this season. He has an additional 791 rebounds in the playoffs. He is the first undrafted player in NBA history to be a team’s all-time leader in total rebounds. He has scored 6,425 career points (8.1 per game average) through 21 games this season and 812 points in the playoffs (5.9 average).
“Being a good, all-around team guy; helping my guys; being a guy they can depend on, whether that be for advice or whether that be on the court, just being a great team guy,” is his focus, Haslem said.
Memphis Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee said of Christian players, “There are a lot of us in the league. It makes me feel good. I consider him (Haslem) a brother now. He is a follower (and I’m) happy to see that and happy to learn that he is a Christian.”
Another NBA player who is a Christian, Anthony Tolliver, a forward for the Detroit Pistons, described Haslem as a “high character guy. He is the ultimate teammate. Every single person that I know that knows him knows that he is an outstanding guy and that he treats people with a lot of respect. I always see him at chapel and we get a chance to talk about it a little bit. I haven’t had a ton of experience with him outside the basketball court but certainly every time we play the Heat, I see him and we get a chance to talk.”
Haslem, 35, became a Christian when he was a child. He is a member of Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, Miami, Florida.
“If I ever have the opportunity to inspire people, I tell people to keep the faith and stay prayed up and be thankful to the Lord,” Haslem said. “I get down on my knees. I pray every night. I give thanks for everything that I have. … I am always conscious to focus on not the things that I don’t have, but the things that I have.”
Haslem wants to be an example when things don’t come easy.
“Nothing has been given to me. My faith has been tested my whole life, my faith in the Lord, my faith in myself. I have had to persevere.
“Nothing is impossible. My faith is strong enough.”
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