Alonzo Mourning to Remain with HEAT

“We are extremely excited about the fact that Zo wants to continue his career in Miami and we feel his decision to come back is going to be critical toward our success and goal of winning an NBA championship,” said HEAT President Pat Riley. “We have the utmost respect for Alonzo and he deserves to be part of this championship run.”

Mourning re-joined the HEAT on March 1 as a free agent after playing two seasons with New Jersey. During the 2004-05 season, Mourning averaged 7.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.00 blocks and 19.0 minutes per game in 37 games (17 starts). He scored in double-figures on 12 occasions, grabbed double-figure rebounds four times and recorded four double-doubles. Mourning was the HEAT’s leading scorer off the bench on six occasions and led the HEAT reserves in blocks 12 times, in rebounds six times, in minutes three times and in steals twice.

“I’m very excited about returning to the HEAT this season and I remain more committed than ever to bring a championship to Miami,” said Alonzo Mourning. “I’m thrilled with all the improvements the team has made this summer and can’t wait to get on the court and start playing.”

Prior to his time in New Jersey, he spent eight seasons with the HEAT, guiding the club to six playoff appearances including a run to the Eastern Conference Finals in 1997. Mourning was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets with the second pick in the 1992 NBA Draft, and was obtained by the HEAT in a trade on November 3, 1995. He signed with the Nets as a free agent on July 16, 2003 and was traded to the Toronto Raptors on December 17, 2004. He was then waived by the club on February 11, 2005 without playing a game. In his 14 NBA seasons, he has averaged 19.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.93 blocks in 33.8 minutes per game. He ranks sixth in NBA history in blocks per game, 14th in total blocks (1,963) and 29th in field goal percentage (52.3%).