The Miami Heat were fortunate to have talented veteran Udonis Haslem guide its young players for more than 10 years. The oldest Heat player, Haslem, decided to hang up his jersey in 2023. The Heat members and his family, including his wife Faith Haslem, were always there to support him. As Haslem’s former teammate and The OG’s podcast co-host Mike Miller once said, Faith is the “rock behind” Haslem.

The 3x NBA champ and his wife are indeed one of the longest-surviving couples, having been together for more than a decade. He is often seen sharing romantic and heartwarming posts about his wife.

Udonis Haslem and Faith Haslem 

The Miami Heat legend met the love of his life at the University of Florida. Unfortunately, both Haslem and Faith were in relationships with other people, at the time. The Heat star was dating a girl from the volleyball team, while Faith, who was part of the Florida Gators Track and Field team, was in a relationship with a football player.

After Haslem was cheated on by his ex-girlfriend and Faith broke up with her ex-boyfriend, the two became friends. They didn’t start dating until 2001, and they have been together ever since. “Faith was refreshing after the loud, confrontational, attention-seeking women I had known. She was bright and motivating, and as a jock, got what I do. But she was not easy to read, and I didn’t want to spoil our friendship by moving too fast,” Haslem said, via The New York Times. 

At that time, Haslem was already a father to Kedonis, who was born in 1998 to his high school ex-girlfriend, Keke James. Living with her parents, Gloria and Richard Rein, Haslem’s wife led a life very different from the 3x NBA champ. 

What is Faith Haslem’s profession?

Born in Virginia in 1981, Faith was a track and field athlete at her university. Despite the challenges, the two stayed together. Their early days of dating were tough for both, especially after Haslem went undrafted. 

He was heartbroken, but Faith never left his side. “He can go inside of himself when he feels insecure. I wanted to be strong for him and let him know he had to stay positive, that this setback did not change anything between us,” Faith said.

However, time and fate had more challenges in store for the couple. After facing disappointment in the NBA draft, Haslem decided to play for the Élan Chalon basketball team in France. His then-girlfriend Faith was even ready to settle down in Europe if necessary. However, they decided to pursue a long-distance relationship and remained loyal to each other.

That year was heartbreaking for Faith who sustained a serious injury and had to end her track and field career. While she had Haslem by her side to comfort her, Faith had to start a new career.

After completing her degree in business administration, she took a job as a sports broadcaster and podcaster. 

The winds changed for Udonis Haslem and Faith Haslem

Other the other hand, Haslem returned to Florida in 2003 to play in the G League. Soon after, things began to improve, and Haslem’s unrivaled talent landed him a deal with the Miami Heat in 2003. Playing alongside teammates he refers to as brothers, like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, Haslem won his first NBA championship in 2006 and went on to win two more.

Haslem and Faith welcomed their first son, Josiah, in 2007, and their youngest, Elijah, in 2011. The two finally tied the knot at Palm Beach in 2013 and Rein officially became Mrs. Haslem. In 2020, they returned to Gainesville, where they had first met, and finally celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary last year. 

“Road trip!! 1st stop… Gainesville! and the exact spot where we met on campus…at our dorms (The Springs/Hall 95…for all my UF students and alum:)”. I was on my way back from track practice,” Mrs. Haslem wrote in her post. Their love story is no less than a fairy tale. The couple is happily looking forward to many more years together.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.