The basketball journey will take weird twists and turns. Sometimes you’re LeBron James. Sometimes you’re Duncan Robinson. Most guys in the League are somewhere in between. You just never know how you get there and you just never know how long you’re going to stay. 

Let’s take a deep dive into the Miami Heat roster and look at their pathways with some personal stories on some of the players. 

First, the starters…

BAM ADEBAYO (No. 9 ranked player composite 247 Sports in 2016, Kentucky, 2017 NBA Draft, 1st round, 14th overall pick) The first time I saw Bam play was at the Fab Frosh Camp in 2012. He was a rim-bender at the high school rookie camp. He was physically stronger and bigger than his peers and knew where he could shine. His game never deviated from that. He never once tried to be a face-up big man or a pick and pop player. Even as an undersized five man, Bam was a paint monster. He’s still that same guy today. I thought his trajectory was going to be more of the JJ Hickson path. Hickson, formerly of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Portland Trailblazers, was a terrific rebounder and an undersized five man. I liked both a lot at the same stage of their careers, even comparing Bam to Hickson. I liked Bam - a lot - but never did I see him becoming the best player on a team in the NBA Finals. Even this early in his career. His is a great story of resolve and dedication to his own set goals. His effort and knowing his own game speaks volumes to his development and path that he is currently on. 

JIMMY BUTLER (Not ranked in HS, Marquette, 2011 NBA Draft, 1st round, 30th pick) I’m not going to pretend and claim any “I remember when Jimmy Butler was in high school stories”. I don’t have any. Few people do. His story is well-documented. From Tomball, Texas to Tyler Junior College to Marquette to the NBA Finals. What a ride. We didn’t cover junior college hoops much, if at all, at rivals.com at the time. His commitment to Marquette didn’t register much nationally with our staff. I hate to say it, but that’s how most junior college additions were. We listed them but we were in the dark on most players that took that path. He officially visited Marquette, Iowa State and Mississippi State

JAE CROWDER (Not ranked in HS, Marquette, 2012 NBA Draft, 2nd round, 34th overall pick) I lived in Georgia when Crowder was a prep player but I never heard of him. I never saw him. I never even had a reason to have the slightest thought about him. Crowder was at Villa Rica High School andhe didn't play much travel ball and was the quarterback on his high school football team. He ended up at South Georgia Tech, having success there by leading his team to the NJCAA national tournament. He was the Georgia JC Player of the Year. From there, Crowder went to Howard College in Texas, helping them win the National Championship and was named JC National Player of the Year. Buzz Williams, no stranger to recruiting junior college players, signed him at Marquette. Crowder went on to become the Big East Player of the Year. If anyone tells you they saw his path play out the way it has when Crowder was in high school isn’t telling the truth. Crowder’s journey to a stellar NBA career from junior college is one of the best success stories we’ve seen in the new century.

GORAN DRAGIC (2008 NBA Draft, 2nd round, 45th pick overall) What’s interesting with Dragic is he’s the only international player in the NBA Finals. Fun fact for a league that has players from so many parts of the world. 

DUNCAN ROBINSON (Not ranked, not drafted) You know his story. From going from a DIII school Williams College to part-time starter at Michigan to NBA Summer League to a two-way contract to being a starter for the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals. What a remarkable journey. Robinson was even pursuing post-hoops career paths in the media prior to his opportunity with the Heat. He set a franchise record with 270 made three-pointers in a season. 

Let’s take a peek at the bench: 

TYLER HERRO (No. 39 ranked player composite 247 Sports in 2018, Kentucky, 2019 NBA Draft, 1st round, 13th overall pick) - Herro lit up the nets at Suwanee Sports Academy when the adidas circuit came through SSA. Our Corey Evans, who is now with the Oklahoma City Thunder, had Herro ranked inside our top 50 national rankings. 

KENDRICK NUNN (No. 56 ranked player composite 247 Sports in 2013, Illinois/Oakland, Undrafted)

KELLY OLYNYK (Not ranked, Gonzaga, 2013 NBA Draft, 1st round, 13th overall pick)

SOLOMON HILL (No. 29 ranked player Rivals in 2009, Arizona, 2013 NBA Draft, 1st round, 23rd overall pick) - We flirted with him as a top 25 guy throughout his high school career. Hill was one of the most versatile players of his era. 

ANDRE IGUODOLA (Four-star player by Rivals in 2002, Arizona, 2004 NBA Draft, 1st round, 9th overall pick)

MEYERS LEONARD (No. 31 ranked player Rivals in 2010, Illinois, 2012 NBA Draft, 1st round, 11th overall pick)

UDONIS HASLEM How about this - he was playing HS hoops before we were even running rivals.com. Keep living the good life, Mr. Haslem. 

DERRICK JONES, JR. (No. 48 ranked player composite 247 Sports in 2015, UNLV, Undrafted) Jones was one of the most exciting players I’ve ever seen at the City of Palms tournament in Florida. He did this one time: