Tre Donaldson brings gritty defense and playmaking back to South Florida, aiming to become the next undrafted gem developed through the Miami Heat’s pipeline.
MIAMI, Fla. – If there’s one area the Miami Heat do better than the rest of the league, it’s finding and developing overlooked talent. The organization has an impressive track record: Gabe Vincent, Max Strus, Caleb Martin, Haywood Highsmith, and Duncan Robinson – all currently active. Although they’ve gone on to have extended careers elsewhere, the journey doesn’t happen without an opportunity in South Florida.
The pioneer of the Heat’s successful undrafted club is three-time NBA champion Udonis Haslem. After four years at the University of Florida, followed by one season of overseas basketball, the Miami native returned home to pursue a life-changing dream. Haslem signed with the Heat in 2003 – alongside lottery pick Dwyane Wade – and the rest was history.
Looking to join the list is former Miami Hurricanes guard Tre Donaldson. After officially going undrafted on Wednesday night, he reportedly agreed to a two-way contract with the Heat franchise. If intact by the start of the 2026-27 regular season, Donaldson will split stints between the main roster and the Sioux Falls Skyforce – G-League affiliate.
Donaldson is coming off a career season at Coral Gables: 16.4 points on 45.4 percent shooting, 3.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.4 steals in 35 games, including 33 starts. Before transferring to the University of Miami, the Tallahassee native had stints at Auburn and Michigan, winning an SEC and Big 12 Tournament title.
Hurricanes head coach Jai Lucas challenged Donaldson to become a pass-first point guard – 5.4 assists marked a new career high average. He was an important factor in the men’s basketball program's historic 26-9 turnaround.
The 22-year-old earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference Second Team honors.
Donaldson had the second-highest scoring average on the Hurricanes’ roster. In an ACC matchup against the Virginia Tech Hokies, he scored a career-high 32 points to lead the team to a 67-66 victory.
Along with being a scorer and playmaker, Donaldson is an intense defender. Despite being listed at 6-3, he hardly allows opponents to blow past him. Donaldson shares similar intangibles to other small guards, such as Jose Alvarado and Davion Mitchell.
The Heat have struck gold on hidden gems on several occasions. Last season, it was Myron Gardner who showed flashes of production, especially as a pestering defender.
Following July’s Las Vegas Summer League – assuming Donaldson remains signed on a two-way – he will likely start the season in the G-League until the front office believes a conversation about a standard contract is in order.
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Anthony Aguirre is the Miami Heat beat writer for Roundtable Sports. Contact info: [email protected] | 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
