Quick Facts
| Full Name | Udonis Johneal Haslem |
| Name | Udonis Haslem |
| Nick Name | Udonis |
| Date of Birth | June 9, 1980 |
| Age | 42 years old |
| Birth Place | Miami, Florida |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | American – Puerto Rican |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Height | 6’8″ (2.03 meters) |
| Weight | 235 pounds (107 kg) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Father’s Name | John Haslem |
| Mother’s Name | Debra Haslem |
| Siblings | Two brothers and three sisters |
| High School |
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| Education | Graduate in Leisure service management |
| University | University of Florida |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Faith Rein-Haslem |
| Marriage Year | 2013 |
| Children | Three sons; Kedonis, Josiah, and Elijah Haslem |
| Profession | NBA Player |
| Position | Power Forward |
| Leagues | NBA |
| NBA Draft | Undrafted |
| Debut Year | 2002 |
| Retirement | Not available |
| Playing Teams |
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| Awards and Achievements |
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| Major Achievement | The oldest active player in NBA |
| Net Worth | $30 million |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
| Merch | Basketball Trading Card |
| Last Update | July 2022 |
A career in the NBA may start with being picked, but being undrafted does not necessarily spell the end of one. If you have the talent, you can join the NBA even if you are not selected.
One of the many NBA success stories involving undrafted players is Udonis Haslem. He was not selected in the 2002 draft, but the Miami Heat eventually offered him a contract.
For the Miami Heat, Haslem has devoted his whole NBA career to playing. He has received numerous accolades and trophies throughout his career, including three NBA championships and selection to the NBA All-Rookie Team.
Additionally, this essay will walk you through Udonis Haslem’s inspiring story, including his challenges, NBA career, personal life, and more.
Early Life of Udonis Haslem
On June 9th, 1980, Udonis Johneal Haslem was born in Miami, Florida. John Haslem (the father) and Debra Haslem are his parents (mother).From 1972 to 1974, his father competed in college basketball for the Stetson Hatters. He has a Puerto Rican mother.
Additionally, Haslem has three sisters and two brothers. Samuel Wooten, one of his brothers, died from cancer in 1999. Haslem most admired him since he served as a role model for him.
Haslem’s father had a big impact on his enthusiasm and love for basketball. He mentored Haslem in basketball and encouraged his aspiration to play professionally.
Udonis went to Miami Senior High School after attending Wolfson High School in Jacksonville, Florida.
Later, he received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida, where he eventually finished with a degree in leisure service management.
Height, weight, and age of Udonis Haslem
He was born in 1980, making Udonis Haslem 42 years old. Geminis are people born in August.
In addition, Udonis claims to be an American-Puerto Rican and was born in Miami, Florida. His mother is Puerto Rican and his father is American.
As for height and weight, Haslem is 6 feet 8 inches tall (2.03 meters) and 235 pounds (107 kg). When Haslem traveled to play in France, he weighed 300 pounds (140 kg).
Later, to keep his body athletic and fit, he shed 50 pounds (23 kg) in about eight months. Haslem regularly exercises to keep his athletic physique.
Haslem also has several tattoos all over his body. He has several tattoos covering every inch of his body.
Early Career | Udonis Haslem
The University of Florida’s basketball squad, the Gator Teams, had Udonis Haslem as a vital player. He played as the starting center for four years, from 1998 to 2002, under Billy Donovan’s tutelage.
The team reached the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship game during his second season, but they suffered a defeat there.
For the first time in school history, the Gators were invited to the NCAA tournament four years in a row during his college career.
Haslem was selected four times for the Southeastern Conference (SEC) coaches’ all-star team. In addition, he is the team’s all-time leading scorer, ranking third in both points scored and rebounds.
He was recognized by the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012 as a “Gator Great.”
Professional Career of Udonis Haslem
Heats of Miami, undrafted
In the 2002 NBA draft, Udonis Haslem went undrafted. Despite not being selected, Haslem continued to look for NBA team contracts.
Later, he attended training camp with the Atlanta Hawks and was selected for the Shaw’s Pro Summer League roster. However, Haslem’s NBA dream was dashed when the Hawks waived him prior to the 2002–2003 NBA season.
After that, he played for a season in France after signing with Chalon-sur-Saône of the French LNB Pro A. His outstanding performance there assisted in getting him an NBA contract.
Haslem joined the NBA franchise Miami Heat on August 6, 2003. He was a rookie for the Heat when they made it to the Eastern Conference Semifinals and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
Haslem was an invaluable addition to Miami and contributed to the Heat’s first NBA title.
Getting hurt and retiring
Haslem and the Heat reached a five-year, $20 million contract in July 2010. The Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets each made him a number of offers, but he decided to stay with Miami, the franchise where he began his NBA career.
But, regrettably, Haslem sustained a ligament damage in his foot in November 2010, sidelining him for the balance of the season.
Following his injury, Haslem got less and less time on the floor with Miami Heats. He later elected to opt-out of his contract. But, his ambition to play basketball led him quit from the contract.
Thus, Haslem resigned with Heats on one-year contract every year from 2014. He mentioned that he probably will be retiring after the 2018-19 season, although he stated that he would not retire yet.
As a result, Haslem became the NBA’s oldest active player following the retirement of Vince Carter. He is the 30th oldest current player in the NBA as well as the oldest undrafted player of the modern era.
Haslem presently has no plan of retiring from the NBA as he resigned with the Heats on August 15, 2021.
Udonis Haslem | Awards and Achievements
- Three times NBA champion (2006, 2012, 2013) (2006, 2012, 2013)
- NBA All-Rookie Second Team (2004) (2004)
- The first undrafted player in NBA history to establish a franchise rebounding record (2012) (2012)
- Second-team All-American – NABC (2002) (2002)
- Third-team All-American – AP (2001) (2001)
- Two times First-team All-SEC (2001, 2002) (2001, 2002)
- Two times Third-team All-SEC (1999, 2000) (1999, 2000)
Wife and Children
Udonis Haslem is married to his long-term lover Faith Rein-Haslem, whom he dated for 14 years before tying the marriage.
Haslem met Faith while attending the University of Florida. Faith was a member of the Florida Gators Track and Field team.
Initially, both knew one other but never had anticipated they would be in a relationship. They would periodically pass each other in the corridor, not knowing much about one another, but they were recognizable faces to one another.
When they initially met, they were both in a relationship. Haslem was in a relationship with a female on the Volleyball team who cheated on him, whilst Faith was in a relationship with a guy on the Football team, which did not work out.
It was a heartbreak that got them together. They later figured out that they were made for each other and started dating one another.
After dating for fourteen years, they finally married in 2013 in Palm Beach, Florida. The couple is blessed with three boys; Kedonis, Josiah, and Elijah Haslem.
But, the couple made a fascinating admission regarding their abortion. Faith had to abort the first child she was pregnant with during her college days.
It was starting of Haslem’s NBA career, and the pair did not have the financial support. On top of that, both were just starting their professions.
Haslem faced a tough decision, but he and Faith persisted through it and handled it with maturity and grace.
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Instagram presence
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Udonis Haslem | Net Worth and Salary
The net worth of Udonis Haslem is reported to be $30 million. His net worth is derived from his primary profession as an NBA player.
According to the sportrac, the athlete signed a rookie deal with the Miami Heats for $366,931. He signed his career’s most expensive deal with Miami Heats worth $20 million for five years in 2010.
He has been resigning his contract with Miami for roughly $2 million per season. Thus, the player earned approximately $68 million being an NBA player playing for Miami Heats.
Furthermore, he has earned good fortunes from his sponsorship, investments, and endorsements.