The 2011-12 season marks the 12th 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 forwards. His primary duties include the development of Miami’s players both during the season and in the off-season. He also is responsible for analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of opposing players.

Askins enjoyed a productive nine-year NBA career, one spent entirely with the HEAT organization. He still ranks among Miami’s all-time leaders in games played (fourth), three-point field goals made (eighth), three-point field goals attempted (ninth), offensive rebounds (11th), total rebounds (12th), steals (13th), defensive rebounds (13th), blocked shots (13th), minutes (14th) and three-point field goal percentage (19th). He also owns the ninth 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 for 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 prompted 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, dominoes, backcountry fishing and growing orchids.

A graduate of the University of Alabama, Askins and his wife, Paulina, reside in Miami Lakes.