A former Miami Heat draft pick is now entering the coaching ranks. 

There are multiple reports of Shabazz Napier becoming an assistant for the Washington Wizards. The Heat took Napier in the first round of the 2014 NBA draft. The pick came shortly after Napier led UConn to the national title. 

Many speculated the Heat made the decision because of an endorsement from LeBron James. At the time, James was finishing his fourth and final season in Miami. During that NCAA Tournament, James posted on social media about how much of a fan he was of Napier. 

Two months later, the Heat selected Napier. They had just to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. With speculation of James potentially leaving Miami, many felt the organization was willing to do anything to re-sign James. 

Ultimately, he decided to return to play for the Cleveland Cavaliers later that summer. It marked the end of one of the best eras in Heat history. During the James tenure, the Heat won two championships in four straight appearances in the Finals. 

Some felt the Heat would remain  a mainstay atop the Eastern Conference because James was paired with fellow All-Stars Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. Instead, James' departure marked a shift in the Eastern Conference. 

James led the Cavaliers to four more consecutive trips to the Finals. They even won a championship in 2017 after James led them back from a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors, who won a league-record 73 regular season games. 

As for Napier, he never replicated his college success. He averaged 5.1 points and 2.5 assists in his lone season with the Heat. He bounced around the league for a few seasons before retiring in 2020.