Briante Weber Unable To Join Miami Heat Due to Failed Physical Exam, Dwyane Wade To Aid Heat's Offense

Sep 16, 2015 09:45 AM EDT

After reports suggesting that a possible Miami Heat deal is in the works, it looks like Briante Weber will not be joining the team after all. The former VCU Rams point guard failed his physical exam following a knee injury he sustained in his last season at the Virginia Commonwealth University.

Weber was previously speculated to have reached an agreement to sign with the Heat. It has not been made public, but several reports claimed that the 22-year-old point guard has agreed to a training camp deal.

Although it is now known that he will not be joining that camp, the undrafted free agent is optimistic that he will still be able to play for the team soon. Bill Neff, Weber's agent, is also aware that this was going to happen. "It was a situation I would describe as one we knew could occur. Our goal was we want to be with the Heat. That has not changed," Neff mentioned during an interview with the Sun Sentinel's Ira Winderman.

The agent further explained that he just wanted the organization to know what they were getting from Weber, the former Atlantic 10 defensive player of the year. He also expressed hope that Weber will recover in time to play for the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the NBA's D-League.

As mentioned, Weber saw his senior year with VCU end in January after injuring some ligaments in his knee. Due to the Weber's continued free agency, the Miami Heat is still down with 18 players in its lineup, two heads fewer than the maximum.

The 6'2" guard has the highest recorded steals in 2013-14 and ended his collegiate basketball career as third on the NCAA's list of all-time Division I steals at 374. Furthermore, Weber averaged 6.8 points, 3.0 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.9 steals per game during his stint at the VCU Rams. He managed to reap the attention of several NBA teams such as the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Utah Jazz during scheduled pre-draft visits earlier this summer.

While Weber sustains a setback in his career, Dwyane Wade is more fortunate as he has finally returned to the Miami Heat by signing a one-year contract. However, there is also the lingering question on whether the 33-year-old shooting guard still have enough power in him to perform on the court.

In the last four seasons, Wade miss a total of 94 games which translates to more than one full season. If Miami plans to emerge on top of the Eastern Conference this upcoming season, they should allow Wade to participate in no less than 60 matches. Jared Doyle of Rant Sports has described that Wade's presence on court boosts Heat's offense and that the player is still one of the most efficient shooting guard in the league at present.