There might not be a single star in today’s game who means as much as to a team as Udonis Haslem does to the Miami Heat. The veteran has spent his entire career in Vice City, building up a stellar franchise. Through championship campaigns and silent struggles, the undrafted Haslem has stuck with the franchise. Recently, the three-time NBA champion became emotional while revealing how not having his mother around changed him as a person.

Many don’t know much about Haslem’s personal life. He had it rough growing up. His mother, Debra Haslem, went through a tough battle with substance abuse and wasn’t with Udonis much of his childhood.

It was after seeking treatment that they got to spend time together. Unfortunately, just as they began to develop a relationship, she passed away at the age of 53. During a recent appearance on ‘The Pivot’ podcast, the Heat veteran spoke candidly about the impact his mother’s passing had on him.

NBA veteran Udonis Haslem speaks about the most challenging moment in his life

As the conversation about his birth mother came up, Haslem spoke from the heart. The 42-year-old spoke about not having her for most of his childhood. While growing up, the NBA star was mostly raised by his stepmother, Barbara Wooten. Debra Haslem would be away from her son due to her battle with substance abuse. It was in 2001 that she would seek treatment and reconcile with Udonis Haslem.

For an entire decade, Debra would stay clean. Sadly just as their relationship began to develop, crushing news hit the Haslem household. In 2009, Debra Haslem was diagnosed with cancer. The news crushed Haslem. According to the New York Post, every day after practice, he would take his mother for treatment to the doctors in Miami. A year later, the 42-year-old NBA star lost her.

While on the Pivot podcast, Udonis Haslem spoke about going through the toughest phase of his life. He said, “That was the toughest thing I ever has to deal with at that time.? At that time that was tough because I didn’t have my mom around during high school. I didn’t have my mom around as a kid. I think we all need that nurturing. We all want our mother around.” Haslem further said, “To not really have that nurturing early on I think was a gift and a curse because I was able to endure so much later on in life.”

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The reason Haslem stayed with the Miami Heat

Right before Debra Haslem passed away, the Heat veteran was considering switching teams. Due to the limited finance, Miami couldn’t offer Haslem the max. Teams like the Dallas Mavericks were willing to give the three-time champion $32 million for five years. But Haslem would take the courageous decision of signing with the Heat for $12 million less.

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The only reason he did so was to take care of his mother. He remembers the last time she smiled was on hearing the news of his return. For the NBA veteran, his decision early on was bigger than basketball. As a family man, Miami holds a special place in his heart. Hence it comes as no surprise that he is so well respected among his peers.