Battier to oversee analytics for Heat
He used advanced analytics to prepare for games as a player.
Shane Battier’s playing days with the Heat are over, but his time with the organization will continue.
The Heat announced Thursday afternoon they have hired the 38-year-old Battier as director of basketball development & analytics. According to the team’s news release, his role will “include the development of analytics in evaluating all talent, including college, free agents and current Miami players.”
During his playing career, Battier was known to use advanced analytics as part of his game preparation.
“We believe Shane is an incredible example of our Heat program, not only for the present, but also for the future,” Heat President Pat Riley said in the statement. “He embodies everything that we are looking for in our players and staff. We feel he will help us tremendously with his experience and knowledge of the game. Shane is an out-ofthe-box thinker and will bring a fresh expertise that can help us evolve as a franchise.”
When Riley was asked in September what would make him feel comfortable retiring, he said he’s “not going to leave this damn thing until we have the right people running it.” Riley said he felt that Miami’s front office was one basketball person short.
Battier played three seasons with the Heat from 2011-14, winning two NBA titles with the team in 2012 and 2013.
“I am thrilled to be joining the front office of the Miami Heat,” Battier said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the Arison family, learning from a Hall of Fame executive in Pat Riley, general manager Andy Elisburg and of course my old coach, Erik Spoelstra. My goal, as is the entire organization’s, is to bring another championship back to Miami.”