Miami Heat: Jarvis Varnado Unlikely To Remain In South Beach
The Miami Heat are unlikely to retain PF/C Jarvis Varnado to leave roster spots open for mid-season signings if any players become available that are of interest to the Heat, according to Sun Sentinel writer Ira Winderman.
Jarvis Varnado only played in eight games for the Heat last season and averaged a whopping five minutes per game.
Selected in the second round in the 2010 draft, Varnado played four seasons at Mississippi State, where he appeared in 141 games and started 119 times while averaging 10.0 points (.604 FG%, .576 FT%), 7.8 rebounds and 4.00 blocks in 25.5 minutes per game. Varnado finished his college career as the only player in NCAA history to record at least 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 blocks as well as the NCAA’s all-time leading shot blocker with 564, eclipsing the previous record of 535 held by Wocjciech Myrda of Louisiana-Monroe (1998-02). In addition to holding the NCAA and Mississippi State record for career blocks he also shattered the Southeastern Conference all-time blocks record previously held by Shaquille O’Neal (412) while also becoming the first player to be named as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in three consecutive seasons (2008, 2009 and 2010).
Unfortunately, his stellar career has not translated into the NBA. Only playing in a total of 13 games, five with the Boston Celtics, Varnado is yet to find consistent playing time. Although he has a strong work ethic and great shot blocking abilities, the 6’9″ PF/C is undersized and is out of range on anything other than dunks.
Miami has opted to leave an extra roster spot free in case any valuable players are able to signed up mid-season, like Chris Andersen was last season. The Heat will look to replace Mike Miller with another sweet-shooting wing as the season progresses. Also, the signing of Greg Oden all but ensured the departure of Varnado as playing time is unforeseeable with Udonis Haslem, Chris Bosh, Andersen, Oden and Rashard Lewis already on the team.