Report: Heat's Haslem buys new home for woman who raised him
There are few things better about making it as a professional athlete than being able to lavish homes and other necessities on those who helped you make it to the big time.
Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem seems to be no exception to that gift-giving trend, as TMZ reports that Haslem purchased a $326,000 Miami home for Barbara Wooten, his stepmother and the woman who raised him from the time he was a toddler into the man he is today.
Haslem's biological mother, Debra, battled substance-abuse problems when Haslem was a child, and he lived with his father and stepmother as a result. His mother was able to defeat her demons, however, and in 2005, the Sun-Sentinel wrote about Haslem's "two mothers" and the impact the women had on his life. Debra passed away in 2010 from cancer.
According to TMZ, Udonis Haslem said he felt blessed to be able to provide a home for Wooten:
"I am blessed that God has provided me the opportunity and ability to provide for my family," Haslem said. He added, "I wouldn't be here without her. She raised me since age 3. I can never repay her and all I can do is show my gratitude."
TMZ reports that the home has six bedrooms and four bathrooms, with a comfortable 3,640 square feet of floor space.
(h/t TMZ)
