The Miami Heat signed forward J’Vonne Hadley on Thursday, adding another young frontcourt option after his productive Summer League with the organization. Miami did not disclose the terms of the deal.
Hadley started all eight of his Summer League appearances between the California Classic in San Francisco and the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas, averaging 5.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks while shooting 42.4% from the field and 88.9% from the free-throw line.
The 6-foot-6 forward showed his rebounding value during the summer schedule, collecting a team-high 10 rebounds against Golden State on July 6 and seven against Orlando on July 11. His 1.0 blocks per game also gave Miami additional defensive production from the forward position.
Hadley spent the 2025-26 season at Louisville, where he averaged 11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 34 games, including 33 starts. He shot 56.2% from the field, 44.0% from three-point range and 70.5% from the free-throw line while playing 28.0 minutes per game.
His Louisville season included 23 games scoring in double figures, with a season-high 20 points against Baylor on Feb. 14. Hadley also led Louisville in steals 10 times and rebounding eight times, while his teammates selected him as one of the team’s captains.
The signing adds another player capable of contributing across several areas without requiring a high-volume offensive role. Hadley’s college career included 140 games and 123 starts, with career averages of 10.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.9 steals while shooting 53.2% from the field and 40.4% from three-point range.
Hadley improved his perimeter shooting significantly in his final Louisville season. After making 38.1% of his three-point attempts in 2024-25, he converted 44.0% on 2.5 attempts per game in 2025-26.
His addition comes during a major reshaping of Miami’s roster. The Heat acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from Milwaukee in a blockbuster deal that sent Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis and multiple draft assets to the Bucks.
Miami subsequently added Klay Thompson on a two-year, $11.5 million contract with a player option for the second season, while also bringing in Nick Richards on a one-year deal to fill roster spot No. 14.
The Heat finished 43-39 and 10th in the Eastern Conference last season before losing in the play-in tournament. The new roster is built around Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, with Hadley providing another developmental frontcourt piece as Miami prepares for the 2026-27 season.
