The 2007-08 season marks the eighth year that Keith Askins is a full-time assistant coach on the Miami HEAT coaching staff. Askins joined the coaching staff under Pat Riley as a volunteer assistant halfway through the 1999-00 season and was promoted to full-time status the following season. Askins, who served as an advance scout for the HEAT for two seasons (2000-02), works extensively with the HEAT’s perimeter players. His primary duties include the development of Miami’s wing players both during the season and in the off-season. A great defensive player himself, Askins focuses on analyzing and teaching the HEAT’s defense. He also is responsible for analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of opposing players with an emphasis on wing players.

Askins enjoyed a productive nine-year NBA career, one spent entirely with the HEAT organization. He ranks among Miami’s all-time leaders in games played (second), three-point field goals made (sixth), three-point field goals attempted (sixth), offensive rebounds (ninth), total rebounds (11th), steals (11th), blocked shots (11th) and defensive rebounds (13th). He also owns the seventh best single-season three-point field
goal percentage mark in franchise history, connecting on a
career-high 41.8 percent of his attempts during the 1995-96
campaign. Known for his aggressive play and long range
shooting, Askins served as a captain for the HEAT four straight
seasons from 1995-99 and captured the team’s Leadership
Award in both the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons.

Askins is also a former participant in the HEAT’s TeamUp program, which prompts kids to become involved in community service, and was one of the team’s most active community spokespersons during his career. In his free time, he enjoys golf, cigars, dominos and music.