Recently retired Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade seems to already think highly of Heat rookie shooting guard Tyler Herro.
The Heat will be starting a new era without Wade who was a 16-year veteran, 13-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA Team, three-time NBA champion and more than likely future Hall of Famer.
This new era for the Heat will be headlined by newly-signed free agent Jimmy Butler and Herro, who was the 13th overall pick in this year’s draft from The University of Kentucky.
Herro impressed in the Summer League, as he averaged 19.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists in four games, regularly splashing home three-pointers.
Wade, who was an ambassador at the Jr. NBA Global Championship, spoke at the event on Aug. 11 about Herro’s potential.
“I followed the Summer League and got to see whatever the Heat posted on their page,” Wade said. “I haven’t been around the players yet but I like what I see. When the Miami Heat draft somebody, you gotta know how they’re built. So, I already know he has a special build about him and now it’s just about what work he wants to put in to become whatever player he wants to become. He looks like he wants it. I can’t wait to see what happens this year in his rookie year. I look forward to it.”
Despite Herro being one of the more impressive players at Summer League, he was not named to either the First Team or Second Team.
The top online sports betting sites in the USA don’t give Herro the best odds to win Rookie of the Year, as he is tied for the 10th best odds with Cam Reddish of the Atlanta Hawks, Mfiondu Kabengele of the Los Angeles Clippers and Bol of the Denver Nuggets. Zion Williamson has the best odds to win followed by Ja Morant and RJ Barrett.
At 6’5″ (1.96 m), Herro might be considered on the shorter side of NBA shooting guards, but the Heat are betting that his pure shooting ability will overcome that, as shooting is something that they have needed.
The Heat will have the opportunity to battle for a playoff berth in the always-competitive Eastern Conference.
The Heat seem like they are prepared for the future and Wade also seems to be on board with what the franchise is doing with their future.
