The Miami Heat organization is inching ever-closer to recreating the 2023-24 Arizona men’s basketball starting five.
The Heat have signed former Arizona big man Oumar Ballo to their Summer League roster, where he’ll play alongside former teammates Pelle Larsson and Keshad Johnson. The signing was reported by the Miami Herald.
Indiana center Oumar Ballo has been added to the list. https://t.co/LSikYlHOip
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) June 27, 2025
Ballo played three seasons at Arizona (2021-24) before finishing his career at Indiana. The 7-footer from Mali averaged 13 points and 9.1 rebounds with the Hoosiers last season.
Ballo progressed into one of the top big men in college basketball using his time at Arizona. He left the program as one of only 10 players in Arizona history with 1,000 career points and 800 career rebounds.
Ballo will find himself in familiar company playing with Larsson and Johnson in Las Vegas this summer.
The Heat acquired Larsson in the second round of last year’s the NBA Draft via the Houston Rockets. After a strong showing at Summer League, Larsson made the team and averaged Larsson averaged 4.6 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists as a rookie.
The Heat signed Johnson prior to Summer League a year ago. Johnson began the NBA season in the G League but quickly got called up. He averaged 2.7 points and 1.8 rebounds.
Larsson is entering the second year of a three-year contract. Earlier this week, the Heat picked up Johnson’s $2 million option for the 2025-26 season.
Ballo will look to follow the lead of his former teammates by securing a spot in the Heat organization.