Following the conclusion of the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft on Thursday night, the Miami Heat signed center Vlad Goldin to a two-way contract. The signing makes Goldin the second big man from the 2024-25 Michigan men’s basketball team to get a shot in the league, following forward Danny Wolf’s selection in the first round.

Wolf and Goldin both joined the Wolverines out of the transfer portal for the previous season, creating a 7-foot duo that became the impetus of their run to the Sweet Sixteen. Wolf’s athleticism and Goldin’s touch around the rim allowed them to share the court effectively, fulfilling first-year coach Dusty May’s vision to be able to give opponents a unique look night in and night out.

With the goal of playing professionally in the NBA and not overseas, Goldin showcased himself in May’s system, leading Michigan in scoring and accruing All-Big Ten First Team and Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors. After his fifth and final season of college basketball, the Heat’s signing of Goldin unequivocally validates his decision from a year ago to follow May, his longtime coach, from Florida Atlantic.

After he played one rather forgettable season at Texas Tech, Goldin subsequently garnered national attention with the Owls. Through a Final Four run and another NCAA Tournament berth his junior and senior seasons, respectively, Goldin proved himself to be a great college player.

Now, after Goldin’s seamless leap from mid-major FAU to the Wolverines helped turn around Michigan, the Heat believe that his game has developed enough to compete at the highest level.