“When He Passed Away, I Had Nobody”: 3x NBA Champion Gets Candid About Coping with Disheartening Loss of the Most Trusted Person in His Life

When you’re an NBA star, it may seem that the whole world is your oyster and you’re invincible. But life has a way of humbling you and showing you the harsh realities of the mortal world. Recently, a three-time NBA champion revealed how losing a trusted person close to him forced him to reconsider his whole worldview.

Miami Heat legend Udonis Haslem happens to be one of those players who had a very close relationship with his agent. During a recent interview on The Pivot Podcast, the NBA veteran reflected upon his brilliant career in the NBA and other relevant topics. Moreover, he remembered one of the most important people in his life and how losing him taught him a lesson.

Henry Thomas was one of the most well-known agents in the sports world, especially in Chicago. He passed away in 2018 which left an impact on some of the players he represented. During the interview, Haslem revealed how Thomas’ death affected him and brought in a change in the 42-year-old’s perspective on life and death.

Udonis Haslem reflects upon the death of a close one

Henry Thomas had quite the catalog of players he represented. Miami Heat legends Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Udonis Haslem were all signed to Thomas’ agency. Out of all his players, Thomas built a close bond with Wade and Haslem, who played together since their rookie year. 

Thomas’ untimely death hit the sports world hard. He passed away on the 28th of January, 2018 after suffering from a neuromuscular disease for quite some time. 

Udonis Haslem recently appeared on The Pivot Podcast where he addressed his relationship with Thomas. Moreover, the former NBA champion also talked about how he coped with his agent’s death and made changes in his life accordingly.

Haslem said, “Man when my agent Henry Thomas Hank passed away, I couldn’t trust nobody else with my future in my life no more and I had to take it in my own hands. At that time, you know what I’m saying, he was the person that was handling a lot of things and doing a lot of things for me and when he passed away I had nobody.”

Dwyane Wade was one of Henry Thomas’ oldest clients. Naturally, he built a great relationship with his agent like Haslem. Following Thomas’ death, the Miami Heat legend had written a heartfelt message for his agent.

READ MORE: Shaquille O’Neal Shuts Up Fans Bashing 41 Year Old Udonis Haslem: ”He’s Teaching the Young Guys About the Heat Culture”

The NBA specially excused Wade and Haslem for Henry Thomas

Udonis Haslem and Dwyane Wade were excused by the Miami Heat and the league association in order to attend Henry Thomas’ last rites. Wade then posted a heartfelt message on Instagram along with a special picture.

“I’m writing this letter to you as I cry both tears of SADNESS and tears of JOY, I know — I know — I can hear your voice saying, ‘Come on my man, you got this!’”, wrote Wade. 

Interestingly, Wade posted the letter on Instagram along with a picture from the day the Heat drafted him. DWade spent the majority of his career with the Heat although he played for a couple more teams across the league.

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