HEAT Sign Michael Doleac

“We are really excited to have Michael Doleac on board,” said HEAT Head Coach Stan Van Gundy. “I think he was one of the best big men on the market this year. He can back-up Shaquille and at other times will play along side him. We feel with Shaquille and Michael at center we have now fortified the toughest position in the league.”

Doleac, entering his seventh NBA season, has averaged 5.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per game over six years. In 72 games for the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets last season, he averaged 4.5 points and 3.7 rebounds in 14.3 minutes per game.

Doleac was originally selected by the Orlando Magic with the 12th pick in the 1998 NBA Draft. During his rookie season, he averaged 6.2 points and 3.0 rebounds per game, earning him NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors. He also ranked second among rookies in field goal percentage. He spent over two seasons with the Magic before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers on June 27, 2001. He then signed with the Knicks as a free agent on August 7, 2002.