MIAMI – When his teammates are shooting on the American Airlines Arena court before games, Jarvis Varnado usually resides two floors above them, working out privately inside the Miami Heat practice gym. Ever since the Heat signed him out of the D-League, Varnado knew minutes were going to be scarce, but his opportunity to grow within the organization would come in the summer and next season.
Now, Varnado will play on Miami’s summer league team in July and be in the fall training camp, critical moments for him to prove his standing to Heat management. Varnado, 25, is confident the Heat will keep him through his non-guaranteed contract next season, but he also understands the burden of continuing to make strides.
“Most definitely, I look forward to coming back,” Varnado told RealGM. “Miami is a great city and the fans are great and my teammates are great. Right now, I just got to show what I can do in summer league and hope for it.”
Varnado’s agent Mitch Frankel, for his part, has noticed an elevated knowledge about work ethic, stemming from the 6-foot-9 forward’s experience in camp with the Heat last year.
“Jarvis has been constant in the gym and understands how hard he has to work,” Frankel told RealGM. “He’s at the level you need to compete in the league, and that’s why I believe he’ll be in the NBA next season with the Heat.”
Before signing with the Heat in January,
Varnado had been averaging 14.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.4 blocks in the D-League. With an established rotation, he was cognizant this would be a development season to learn and practice behind big men like Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem – all while chasing a championship.
“They told me straight up they want to develop me and I accepted that role,” Varnado said. “They sent me down to the D-League to get some games in, some experience, and now I’ll showcase myself [this summer]. It’s a great experience and I’m learning a lot from how the playoffs go: How hard fought it is, guys just leaving it all out on the court. Just to be a part of this, I’m blessed.”
RealGM Blog: Jarvis Varnado Excited About Future With Heat
Heat Become 13th NBA Team With Single Affiliate D-League Team
Jun 10, 2013 1:44 PM EDT
The Miami Heat, the Sioux Falls Skyforce and the NBA Development League announced that the Heat and the Skyforce have entered into a single affiliation partnership beginning with the 2013-14 NBA D-League season. Miami becomes the record 13th NBA team to have a one-to-one affiliation with an NBA D-League team.
The Heat, which joins the Philadelphia 76ers as the second NBA team to become singly affiliated with an NBA D-League team this offseason, will be Sioux Falls’ sole NBA affiliate and will have full control over the team’s basketball operations. To further solidify the relationship, the Skyforce has adopted Miami’s red, yellow and black color scheme and signature font beginning with next season.
The Heat assigned both Dexter Pitman and Jarvis Varnado to the Skyforce last season, the fourth season of the teams’ affiliation. During the 2012-13 season, Sioux Falls was also affiliated with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers.
Heat Become 13th NBA Team With Single Affiliate D League Team - RealGM Wiretap
Riley is starting to build a foundation. I have a feeling Varando will be a good rotational player, if he pans out. At best he is Joel with a better offensive game. Hopefully with the affiliate team, we can find a few gems to add to our rotation.