Keeping up with the Doleacs

"That is still on my mind," he said.

Meanwhile, playing behind Shaquille O'Neal, who is rapidly aging, makes Doleac a valuable commodity to have around in case of injury.

"Shaq is the toughest player I have ever played against," said Doleac. And he is not just talking about practice. He has gone up against Shaq many times while playing on other teams. He was originally drafted by the Orlando Magic at No. 12 in the first round. He has since spent periods of time with Cleveland, New York and Denver before sticking with Miami the past three years.

Dwyane Wade is another Miami All Star that Doleac has had the opportunity to get to know.

"Besides being a phenomenal talent, he is a great person and a humble guy," said Doleac.

Is Wade the leader of this team?

Doleac explains that leadership is a problem for the Miami team. "It is hard for one guy to step up," he said. "All of these players have been leaders either in college or on other teams."

But coach Pat Riley provides great leadership. "We couldn't have won our championship without him," said Doleac. "He gets all the big egos to fit well and play well together."

And speaking of big egos, Doleac was asked to sum up his thoughts on Rick Majerus. He said he has great knowledge of the game, work ethic, etc. And he concluded: "He is by far the best coach I have ever played for."

Michael Doleac:

1994-98 University of Utah basketball

• Utah's 12th leading scorer with 1,519 points

• Went to NCAA tournament all 4 years (Lost to Kentucky in Sweet 16 game 1996, Elite 8 game 1997 and national title game in 1998)

• Named All-American 1998

• All-WAC Academic honors, 1997, 1998

NBA

• Drafted with 12th pick overall by Orlando Magic

• Named NBA All-Rookie second team, 1999

• Won NBA championship with Miami Heat, 2006

Shannon Bowles:

1997-2002 University of Utah gymnastics

Athletic Honors

• Nine-time All-American

• 2002 NCAA Woman of the Year finalist

• Only four-time first-team balance beam All-American in Utah gymnastics history

• 2002 NCAA North Central Gymnast of the Year

• 2002 Mountain West Conference Female Student-Athlete of the Year

• Won the bronze on the floor exercise at the 2002 NCAA Championships (9.925)

• Led Utah into the NCAA Super Six three of her four years.

• U.S. National Team member prior to coming to Utah.

Academic Honors

• 2002 First-Team Academic All-American

• *Graduated cum laude with a 3.83 GPA in psychology and exercise and sport science

• Received an NCAA post-graduate scholarship

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E-mail: wjewkes@desnews.com