Miami, FL

Heat president emotional as Pat Riley Court unveiled

Published

1 year ago

October 24, 2024

Heat president emotional as Pat Riley Court unveiled

MIAMI – Pat Riley stood in front of 20,000 people on Wednesday night. And they all seemed to be cheering as the Miami Heat officially dedicated their home court in his honor during halftime of the season opener against the Orlando Magic.

But when it was time to end his remarks and close the halftime celebration of “Pat Riley Court,” the Basketball Hall of Famer and team president was speaking to just one person — his wife, Chris.

“It will end here one day. And that stamp here and that stamp over there, that’s what it’s all about, sweetie,” Riley said, pointing to the two spots on the court that now bear his signature and name. “We made it. We made it. I love you. Thank you.”

Plenty of former players — Dwyane Wade, Goran Dragic, Mike Miller and Jamal Mashburn among them — came back for the celebration, and many others sent acknowledgements to Riley. Getting the court named for him was not his idea; Heat managing general partner Micky Arison told Riley of the move on Sept. 22, catching him completely by surprise.

“This is beyond even my imagination of a reward for a man’s life’s work,” Riley said. “We are huge dreamers and Micky has made mine. It wasn’t something I wanted or pursued, but I’m going to take it.”

Riley came to Miami in 1995 to become coach and team president. He stepped down from coaching twice — first in 2003, then again and for good in 2008 — but not before leading Miami to its first title in 2006.

When he gave up coaching for the final time, he promoted Erik Spoelstra to be his replacement. Spoelstra is entering Year 17 in the role.

“I just think it’s a really special moment, not only for myself but for so many of us in the building,” said Spoelstra, who — along with the rest of his coaches — wore Nike Cortez sneakers Wednesday as a tribute to Riley, who preferred them when he coached. “These years are going by fast; 30 years is just like a blink of an eye. He’s brought us all along on the ride and we’re forever grateful for that. He’s given us a blueprint to follow that leads to winning.”

The piece of the court that Riley got as a commemorative plaque read “On September 1, 1995, the future of the Miami Heat changed forever.” Alonzo Mourning, now a Heat vice president, was the first big-name player that Riley brought to South Florida.

“Coach, 30 years ago you welcomed me to this franchise with an open heart and a singular vision to host a championship parade down Biscayne Boulevard,” Mourning said. “And since our very first season here in Miami, you’ve done nothing but deliver on that vision again and again and again — with a blend of class and competitiveness that this game has never and will never witness again.”

Riley pointed out that he coached 188 players in his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, New York and Miami — more than 100 of them in his Heat days alone. He thanked them, thanked his staff, other executives, his family and more.

But it was his wife, who helped organize Wednesday’s event, who was the centerpiece of his remarks over and over again. Riley even detailed how they met.

“I want to get this one right,” Riley said. “It was one summer night on a crowded mezzanine in San Diego and I saw perfect. The most beautiful woman ever, her flowered summer dress swaying softly as she walked towards me. Saw those hazel eyes and my heart leapt. … I went for her like Udonis Haslem is going to go for a loose ball on that court right there.”

The Heat even aired the clip of the private meeting where Arison told Riley that he and his son Nick, the team’s CEO, decided that the court would bear his name. Riley looked shocked.

“Enjoy it,” Arison told Riley. “It’s going to be there forever.”

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Miami, FL

North Miami marks 50th Thanksgiving Day parade

Published

18 minutes ago

November 27, 2025

Press Room

North Miami marks 50th Thanksgiving Day parade

NORTH MIAMI, Fla. — The sound of drums and cheers filled Northwest 125th Street on Thursday as North Miami carried on a beloved holiday tradition — its annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.

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Hundreds lined the route early, including longtime resident Joann Cesar, who has been attending for two decades.

“It’s a family tradition. We make it every time to support the culture and the residents,” Cesar said. “I love coming every year.”

City leaders say the parade has become a signature Thanksgiving morning event.

“For families, it’s coming together,” Vice Mayor Kassandra Timothe said. “Who else has a parade if you can’t go to Macy’s, right? We have our own little Thanksgiving Day parade here in North Miami.”

It wasn’t just locals taking in the festivities. Cheng Li, visiting from China, said his family arrived early to get a good spot along the route.

“This is our first time celebrating this holiday because in China this is not a public holiday,” he said.

City officials say this year’s parade took a full year to plan, bringing together schools, community groups and local bands to help kick off the holiday.

“This is the only parade in South Florida on Thanksgiving morning,” Timothe said. “Here in the city of North Miami, we are celebrating with community, with schools, with local bands.”

This year’s event also carried extra excitement as North Miami prepares to celebrate its 100th birthday.

“We will be celebrating our centennial, so this makes it more special,” Mayor Alix Desume said.

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Miami, FL

Powell, Ware lead Miami Heat to fourth straight win with 127-117 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers

Published

4 days ago

November 23, 2025

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Powell, Ware lead Miami Heat to fourth straight win with 127-117 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers

AARON BRACY Associated Press

Associated Press

Published: November 23, 2025 at 4:35 PM

Heat 76ers Basketball Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo, left, looks to shoot against Philadelphia 76ers’ Paul George, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) (Chris Szagola/AP)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Norman Powell scored 32 points while Kel’el Ware had 20 points and 16 rebounds to help the Miami Heat win their fourth in a row with a 127-117 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.

Jaime Jacquez Jr. scored 22 points, and Bam Adebayo contributed 18 for the Heat.

Tyrese Maxey had 27 points to pace Philadelphia, which played without former MVP Joel Embiid for the seventh straight game. Embiid (right knee injury management) has missed 10 of 16 contests this season. Maxey, who. entered second in the NBA in scoring at 33.4 points per contest, was coming off a career-high 54 points in Thursday’s 123-114 overtime win at Milwaukee.

Andre Drummond added 14 points and 23 rebounds for the 76ers. Rookie VJ Edgecombe (left calf tightness) also was sidelined for Philadelphia.

This was the first of three contests between the clubs.

Miami controlled the contest throughout, but the 76ers got within 105-103 with 8:28 left after Trendon Watford’s layup. The Heat then scored 13 of the next 15 points, capped by Powell’s running layup with 4:40 remaining, to go ahead by 13.

The 76ers honored the 25-year anniversary of the 2001 Eastern Conference champions by wearing replica black jerseys from that era. Allen Iverson, who was named MVP that season, was in attendance. Theo Ratliff rang the ceremonial Liberty Bell prior to the contest. Ratliff helped the 76ers to a 41-14 record before a midseason trade sent him to Atlanta for Dikembe Mutombo.

Up Next

Heat: Host Dallas on Monday night.

76ers: Host Orlando on Tuesday night.

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Miami, FL

SCSU Holds Off Miami in Series Finale – Miami University RedHawks

Published

5 days ago

November 22, 2025

Press Room

SCSU Holds Off Miami in Series Finale – Miami University RedHawks

OXFORD, Ohio– (RV/RV) St. Cloud State scored the first three goals of the game and held on down the stretch to outlast (RV/RV) Miami 4-2 Saturday night at Steve “Coach” Cady Arena. The RedHawks (8-4-0, 2-4-0 NCHC) out-shot the Huskies (7-7-0, 2-4-0 NCHC) 29-16 over the final 40 minutes, including goals by Matteo Giampa and David Deputy, but came up short in the comeback attempt. Deputy led the Miami offense with two points, giving him four for the series.

HOW IT HAPPENED

13:05 1st (SCSU 1-0) | The Huskies grabbed the game’s first goal seconds after a 4-on-3 Miami power play expired. Cooper Wylie deflected the puck to Tyson Gross, who lofted a long pass ahead that found Grant Ahcan streaking out of the penalty box for a 4-on-4 breakaway.

0:51 2nd (SCSU 2-0) | SCSU added to its lead in the closing moments of a 5-on-3 power play. A diagonal passing sequence from Austin Burnevik to Adam Ingram set up Barrett Hall for the open finish.

6:50 2nd (SCSU 3-0) | St. Cloud State struck again on the power play later in the second period, as Max Smolinski skated in and found Gross on the doorstep to make it 3-0. Josh Zinger had the second assist on the play.

10:13 2nd (Miami 3-1) | The RedHawks responded with a special-teams goal of their own near the game’s midway point. After Kocha Delic set up Deputy’s shot attempt on a 5-on-3 power play, Deputy quickly retrieved his own rebound and fed a pass to Giampa near the goal for a shot to make it 3-1.

15:06 2nd (Miami 3-2) | Miami continued a strong push in the second period with a Deputy goal to trim the margin to one. Owen Lalonde held the puck in at the point and sent a perfect pass across to Deputy on the far side of the zone to help the RedHawks pull within 3-2.

19:03 3rd (SCSU 4-2) | The visitors sealed the outcome with an empty-netter in the final minute, as Verner Miettinen poked the puck ahead for Ahcan. Although Ahcan’s first shot attempt was blocked, he stuck with the play and came up with the game’s final goal.

NOTES

Deputy and Giampa each lit the lamp for the second consecutive night.

Deputy, the game’s Second Star, extended his point streak to three games and led all players with a career-high eight shots on goal.

Kyle Aucoin was credited with a career-high six shots on goal for the RedHawks.

Delic picked up his team-leading 14th point of the season and has at least one point in 11 of Miami’s 12 games.

Lalonde made his Miami debut.

Matteo Drobac made 25 saves for the Red and White.

UP NEXT:
Miami travels overseas to compete in the Friendship Four in Belfast, Northern Ireland next week. The RedHawks will face RIT on Friday, Nov. 28 at 2 p.m. ET.

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