Pat Riley’s arrival in Miami jump-started an era of successful stability that includes 3 championships.
Already synonymous with the Miami Heat and its trio of championships, Pat Riley will see his name further entwined with the franchise. The team announced on Monday that it will dedicate its Kaseya Center court, as well as any future courts, with the name of its former coach and long-time team president starting with an official unveiling on Wednesday night when the team faces the Orlando Magic (7:30 ET, NBA League Pass).
It’s the start of a week filled with tributes for the Heat, who will unveil a statue celebrating the career of Basketball Hall of Fame player and three-time NBA champion Dwyane Wade on Sunday.
Riley didn’t want his name on the court yet, because he’s still working. But the two people who outrank him in the organization — managing general partner Micky Arison and CEO Nick Arison — decided otherwise. That’s how important it was to them, to make sure the 30th season of Riley started with a bang.
The franchise won its first championship with Riley as head coach in 2006 and another pair in 2012 and 2013 with him heading up the front office.
“Thirty years, three championships, countless moments — none of it would have been possible without Pat Riley at the helm of the ship,” said Micky Arison, Managing General Partner in a statement from the Heat. “Pat has accomplished so much for this franchise and this city that it’s only fitting his name is forever etched on the hardwood where every day we will be reminded of his impact on the game and the Heat.”
From now on we'll be playing on “Pat Riley Court at Kaseya Center” 🏀
We’ll be dedicating our court and honoring Pat on Opening Night as he goes into his 30th season. Be in the building – https://t.co/VgDac1hpEc pic.twitter.com/tRJBj5WnC7
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 7, 2024
Riley’s executive work with the Heat has seen Miami become a destination for NBA talent. Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Goran Dragic and Jimmy Butler are just some of the All-Star talents brought to Miami under Riley.
Since he arrived in Miami in 1995, the Heat have won three championships and advanced to the NBA Finals seven times.
“This has been one hell of a journey that Micky and I have taken together over the last 30 years,” Riley said in the team’s statement. “The goal from day one was to win, and win big. We did. We won championships, sprayed each other with champagne, had parades, celebrated on this floor, in this arena, in the streets with our great fans and hung the names of our greatest players from the rafters. Naming the court after me would have made my parents very proud. It is a great, great honor for myself, Chris and my family.”
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
