How Bam Adebayo learned he’s the Heat’s new captain: ‘It was a surreal moment’

For the first time in nearly two decades, Udonis Haslem is not the Miami Heat’s captain. The retired Heat icon who became known as “Captain” during his 20-year NBA career passed that title on to somebody else.

Bam Adebayo is the Heat’s new captain. It’s a position Adebayo does not take lightly.

“It was a surreal moment because I remember walking into this situation just trying to get in where I could fit in,” Adebayo said to the Miami Herald ahead of Wednesday night’s matchup against the Brooklyn Nets at Kaseya Center. “Fast forward to now, the coaching staff, UD, the organization looking at me in Year 7 like I’m next in line to carry this torch. It’s a real blessing. It definitely comes with a lot of opportunity, but a lot of responsibility. I’m just looking to carry that torch the best way I can just like UD did.”

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It’s a role Haslem literally and figurative passed on to Adebayo.

Before a practice during the preseason, Haslem surprised Adebayo with the new title by presenting him with a No. 13 Heat jersey that included the “C” captain patch on the shoulder in front of the team.

“It was just an adult moment for me and UD because I’ve always seen him as a big brother to me,” Adebayo said. “He was damn near my best friend on the team. Getting that torch from him, we’ve had so many emotional conversations about situations like that. Having the chance to be a champion, a captain, thinking about future endeavors.

“Having the opportunity is dope coming from him just because I know what it took. Through my seven years of watching him be a captain, I know how stressful that can be and I know how much weight that can be on somebody. For me, I feel like I’m ready to take that next step and lead the best way I can.”

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra called it “one of those special moments in all of our careers to be able to see a guy who’s the culture bearer for us kind of symbolically pass that on to the next guy.”

While that specific preseason moment was a surprise, Adebayo’s promotion to captain isn’t.

Haslem, who spent the previous 16 seasons as a Heat captain, spent the final chapter of his playing career searching for the player who could fill the leadership void his retirement would create. He identified Adebayo as that player a few seasons ago and spent the last few years helping to develop and nurture Adebayo’s leadership skills behind the scenes.

One way Haslem did that: During games when the momentum wasn’t on the Heat’s side, Haslem would sometimes remain silent in timeout huddles and stare at Adebayo in an effort to have him speak up in those moments.

“Even early at this stage in his career, Bam has put so much into the organization and the culture and he’s been mentored by the best mentor in UD,” Spoelstra said. “So UD has been grooming him for this for the last two or three years kind of specifically with this in mind. It was a special moment.”

Adebayo is only in his seventh NBA season (all spent with the Heat) and turned 26 in July. What changes for Adebayo now that he has officially been named the Heat’s captain after taking on a bigger leadership role in recent seasons?

“I think the only change is it’s official,” said Adebayo, who is a two-time All-Star and is considered one of the best centers in the NBA. “It was kind of like unwritten. Now it’s stamped. It comes with a whole bunch of responsibility, but also a great amount of opportunity. The biggest thing for me as a captain is being able to lead this team and get us over this hump and get us to a championship.”

Haslem was known as a vocal and demanding team captain who was there for his teammates whenever they needed him on and off the basketball court. The stoic and reserved Adebayo will lead in his own way.

“Each guy develops their different way of leading,” Spoelstra said. “And he’s still only in his seventh year. UD, early on, was a leader but did it all by example. He grew into being the leader that we all know now who’s vocal and demanding, all of that kind of stuff. But Bam will find his voice and the best way for him to lead the group. It’s about influence and trust, and Bam has that.”

As for the captain’s jersey Adebayo was presented with a few weeks ago, he got Haslem to sign it. Adebayo never wants to forget that moment.

“I’m going to frame it. I need it dated, too,” Adebayo said. “Because, obviously, you want the date, you want the moment. It definitely was a blessed moment for me.”

IN HONOR OF DR. JACK

The Heat is unveiling the Dr. Jack Ramsay Memorial Media Center at Kaseya Center before Wednesday night’s game against the Nets.

The broadcast center that will host the home and visiting broadcast crews is located at the top of seconds 118 and 119.

Ramsay, who is in the Basketball Hall of Fame for his legendary coaching career in the NBA, spent eight seasons as a Heat broadcaster starting in 1992 alongside current Heat play-by-play announcer Eric Reid. Ramsay died at 89 years old in 2014 following a lengthy battle with cancer.

“The opportunity to keep his memory alive while providing the people who honor his legacy in the performance of his beloved broadcasting craft with the tools to enjoy a model experience is something so many in this organization will forever cherish and value,” Heat executive director of broadcasting Ted Ballard said.

INJURY REPORT

The Heat ruled out Caleb Martin (left tendinosis) and Kevin Love (left shoulder contusion) for Wednesday’s matchup against the Nets.

Adebayo (left hip contusion), Jimmy Butler (right knee tendinitis) and Haywood Highsmith (left knee sprain), who were all initially listed on the injury report, will be available to play on Wednesday.

Brooklyn ruled out starting center Nic Claxton (sprained left ankle), starting guard Spencer Dinwiddie (sprained left ankle), reserve guard Dennis Smith Jr. (left hip contusion) and starting forward Cameron Johnson (strained left calf). In addition, Nets developmental forward Noah Clowney and developmental guard Dariq Whitehead are playing in the G League.