Kevin Willis

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In Their Own Story

The atmosphere in Miami shifted dramatically when Kevin Willis arrived in 1994. He was traded to the Miami Heat in 1994 for Grant Long and Steve Smith. Willis' first season was tumultuous, and the trade was so poorly received in Miami that it indirectly led to the organization seeking to, and eventually succeeding in, hiring Pat Riley to be their new head coach and General Manager. While Willis stepped onto the court as a reliable 7-foot rebounder, the true story of his Miami chapter lies in the front office revolution he inadvertently sparked. The organization responded to the public outcry by bringing in Pat Riley, transforming the Heat's identity forever. Willis played through this turbulent transition, embodying the resilience required to navigate such a charged environment.

Reader's Guide

Willis played for the Miami Heat from 1994 to 1996. He was traded to the Heat in 1994 for Grant Long and Steve Smith. His first season was tumultuous, and the trade was so poorly received in Miami that it indirectly led to the organization hiring Pat Riley as their new head coach and General Manager.

Did You Know?

• Willis was traded to the Miami Heat in 1994 for Grant Long and Steve Smith.
• The trade was so poorly received in Miami that it indirectly led to the organization hiring Pat Riley as head coach and General Manager.
• Willis is one of fifteen players in NBA history with over 16,000 career points and 11,000 career rebounds.
• He holds the record for most games played among those not in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (excluding players not yet eligible).
• Willis became the oldest person to play in the NBA (dating back to when the NBA officially formed as an entity in 1949).